Trauma Drama vs. Peace

  So, I came across this poem the other day . . . At first, I laughed at it, and thought it was humorously morbid, but then, as I thought through it,  it struck me as a good example, of James 1:2 ". . . Count it ALL joy, when ye fall into divers temptations. . ." and 1 Thess. 5:18 "In EVERYTHING give thanks, for this IS the WILL of God in Christ Jesus concerning YOU." And Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in PERFECT peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because He trusteth in Thee."
     When trials happen, and they do...  1 Peter 1:6 "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:" Sometimes, we NEED manifold temptations and discouragement to make us lean on Christ. The important thing, is how do we deal with this heaviness?
    I'll share the poem, and then, some personal stories about situations in my life where God's been teaching me this.

HOW DID YOU DIE - By Edmund Vance Cooke

Did you tackle that trouble that came your way,

With resolute heart and cheerful? 

Or hide your face from the light of day

With craven soul and fearful?

Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,

Or a trouble is what you make it.

And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,

But only how did you take it?

You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?

Come up with a smiling face!

It's nothing against you to fall down flat, 

But to lie there - THAT'S disgrace.

The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce!

Be proud of your blackened eye!

It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts;

It's how did you fight and why? 

And though you be done to death, what then?

If you battled the best you could;

If you played your part in the world of men,

Why, the Critic will call it good.

Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,

And whether he's slow or spry.

It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,

But only, how did you die?

    I feel a little bit silly sharing this, because I know that I don't have it all together, and I DON'T live this way as much as I should, but the truth is the same, whether I live it perfectly or not.  Trials are going to come. But how do you take it?

   When I was twelve, there was this skirt. It was my FAVORITE skirt, and I lived in it. One day, the zipper broke. I cried. I came storming downstairs mad at the world, and made sure everyone at home knew how awful my life was! (I remember the day clearly because it also happens to be the day that I found out about Aaron and Naomi.) 

   On Tuesday, my phone died. Like dead died. If you know me, you know that while I think 'living on your phone' is wrong, I do have tendencies to be on there WAY too much. So, when my phone conked out, I had two thoughts. One - I'm going to die! But it was quickly followed by thought TWO - It's OKAY! "My God SHALL supply ALL your needs!" If I don't have it, I don't need it! I had total peace about it because I knew that it was God's timing. My phone could have busted a week earlier, or a few weeks later, but it didn't. It happened JUST when God knew I needed it. He ALWAYS gives us what we need! 

   The difference between those two scenarios? Simply my attitude. Both situations were similar. Both times, something was wrong in my life, and I had two different responses. One, I looked at the situation, and how it ruined MY plans. The second response, was to look up. When our focus is on HIM and HIS plan instead of our plans, our dreams, and our lives, HE gives us peace!!! Isaiah 26:3 says "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on THEE, because he trusteth in Thee." If our perspective is right, our attitudes will be right, and our day, though still filled with heaviness through manifold temptations, we can have the peace of God. We DO NOT have to let the devil control our lives! GREATER is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world!!! 

The poem put it so well, if you're going through trouble, a ton or an ounce, it's what you make of it. It's not the fact that you're licked that counts, but how did you fight? "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:" Proverbs 24:16

    So, my encouragement? Don't look at the circumstances! Look at the God who's going to be with you for ALL eternity! He IS the GREAT I AM!!!! Not the great I was, or the great will be, HE IS THE GREAT I AM!!!! GOD has got this!!!! He CAN and WILL handle your problems, if you let Him.