I was at the doctor’s office recently and we had a conversation about the Swine Flu.  I’m not a huge fan of vaccines and my question was, “What’s the worst case scenario if a guy like me decides not to take the shot?”  His answer? “You’ll be laid up for a few days until your body builds up the antibodies and fights it off.“  Interesting.  When we get sick, our bodies build up the strength to overcome it.

I find it extremely interesting that heavier weights (also called resistance) increase muscle strength, unfamiliar subjects fortify our minds, and difficult circumstances cause us to grow in wisdom, patience, and faith.

Pain, resistance, difficulty, adversity.  These things toughen us.  We’d turn to mush without them.  In fact I’m sure I know people who have turned to mush because they go into denial, dodge pain, or give up and wallow in self-pity.  After all, it’s far easier to quit, blame, or feel sorry for ourselves than go through the ringer one more time.  “Who wants more patience?”  “I have enough, thanks.”

I once heard Sam Chand say that our capacity to grow is directly proportional to our capacity to endure pain.  How true!  Once we decide that we’ve had enough, we stop growing.  I love Tylenol’s recent marketing slogan, “Push through the pain.“  When we want to give up, when we can’t find the answer, when it all seems too hard, PUSH THROUGH!  I’ve found that simply NOT throwing in the towel has tremendous value.  Most of the time, breakthrough happens just the other side of wanting to give up.

One of these days I’ll probably tell my story on this site, but let’s just say it’s not a pretty one.  I’ve had to endure some pretty great pressure and, even though I wouldn’t want to repeat all the obstacles, I treasure the work God has done in me through them.  I’ve gained wisdom, insight, endurance, and compassion for others.  Those things have prepared me for the work He has called me to and I thank Him for all of it.

Romans 5:3 & 4 says, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

If you’re feeling pressure, resistance, or stress stay the course!  Your muscles are growing, your mind is sharpening, your emotions are getting stronger.  Growing is more important than the false peace found in giving up.  When it’s all said and done, you’re gonna be a butt kicker.  Just wait and see!

“I give up.  I’m done.  I quit.  It’s over.  I surrender.  I’m not doing this anymore!”  These are some of the most powerful words in the Christian vocabulary. Unfortunately, they’re seldom spoken accept in reference to an assignment.  The idea of a life absolutely surrendered to God is foreign to us in our culture of achievement, prosperity, and recognition.  We attach so much of our self worth to “making it” that we can’t conceive that God might have a better plan for us.

Here’s what I mean.  We find out that there is a God who’s crazy about us.  We ask Jesus to be our savior.  We then put Him in our pocket with the rest of our possessions and let Him be a part of our lives as long as He doesn’t interrupt our lifestyle or standard of living.  Sure He’s important to us, even vital, but he’s still just a part of the picture.  He’s not the whole thing.  Instead of stuffing Him into our pocket, we should be asking Him to stuff us into His.

I’ve had the honor of knowing people who have found the freedom of a life of absolute surrender.  They completely wrap their lives around God, regardless of the cost.  And you know what?  I’ve noticed a few things.

1. They seem to be an effortless blessing to others.  It’s never a strain or a struggle to bless people.  All they have already belongs to God so when He asks them to give it, there’s no debate.

2. They have nothing to prove.  They don’t have to keep up with the Joneses.  Status is unimportant.  “Standard of living” isn’t even in their vocabulary.  They’re bond servants and they’re OK with that because one day they’ll hear “well done.”

3. There is a joy and peace that seems to radiate from them.  Think about it, if you’ve surrendered it all, then there’s nothing to lose.  If Christ owns it all, then He can worry about it.  If you’ve given your dreams to Him, then he’ll help fulfill them, or give you an even better one.  That’s the kind of peace I want!

4. There’s a simplicity about them that makes you want what they have.  In a world of hurry-sickness and spread-too-thin-itis, simplicity is good medicine.

In Matthew chapter 16 Jesus says, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?“

A life of absolute surrender is life abundant.  It’s life the way God meant for you to live it.  It requires laying down what we want from time to time.  It requires giving at an (initially) uncomfortable level.  It requires giving God permission to mess up your plans and change you.  It’s not easy and it’s a challenging process.  However, if we’re going to be used by God to make a difference in the world, we have to go there.

One thing I know for sure: people who give up what they want and surrender all they are and have to Jesus will have some incredible stories to tell.  When their lives draw to an end and it’s time to reflect on it all, you’ll never hear them say, “I wish I would have…”

We decided to visit my parents for Thanksgiving this year.  Something we haven’t done for years.  It’s fun to have everyone pile into the folks house, raid the cupboards, lay around, and laugh about whatever.  For some reason, it’s actually easy to forget about all stress and responsibility of ministry, bills, and business while I’m here.

This morning I woke up to the smell of a very large turkey in the oven and the mere smell of that bird cooking made me feel grateful.  We’ve had a tradition of sharing what we’re thankful for around the table for so long that all it takes is the aroma to stir up a sense of gratitude in me.  Take that Pavlov!

The thing about thankfulness is that it’s so good for you!  When we’re really grateful, it’s hard to stay proud because it acknowledges that someone else has met your need.  It’s hard to be bitter when we’re thanking Christ for His forgiveness.  Thanksgiving really does refocus our perspective!  It helps us to think positively and there are a lot of families out there that could benefit from less negativity in their homes!  The more I think about it, the more I just love this holiday!

2nd Corinthians 4:15 tells us that thanksgiving brings glory to God.  What more motivation do we need?  My prayer for you and me is for a thankful heart EVERY DAY.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” – 2nd Corinthians 9:15