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Pastoral Counselor's Message

11/30/2021

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by Rev. David Floyd, Pastoral Counselor, LWML CNH

Finding Peace in Thankfulness

As I was driving to work today, I moved over into the left lane to give room for a tow truck that had stopped to help an elder lady who was having car trouble. When I drove past them, I noticed the lady had the biggest smile on her face! But not only that…she was giving the tow truck driver a HIGH FIVE! I got the biggest smile on MY face! Because I could just sense the immense gratitude and the immeasurable peace she must have felt seeing this person come to her aid! 

A truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person. They have made a habit, no matter what, to notice, to pause, and to choose. Noticing something for which to be thankful no matter their circumstances. I think the Apostle Paul had something to say about that when he penned these words that we find in Philippians 4:12, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Paul is writing these words from a place of peace. Not a physical place (remember he was writing this letter from prison) but a state of peace, a peace of mind, with a peaceful spirit, because he had, as he said, found the secret to being content…thankful…in any and every situation. And that was: relying on the strength and the promises of God.In fact, whenever Paul found himself in a situation that was beyond his ability to control, when circumstances were difficult, he would notice…look for…something for which to be thankful! Like when he and Barnabas were driven out of Pisidian Antioch. They shook the dust off their sandals and went their way, “filled with joy and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 14:52). Or when Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, and jailed in Philippi. While in stocks, they were “praying and singing hymns to God…” (Acts 16:25). So they noticed what they could be thankful for!

Then they paused to acknowledge this, as a way to remind themselves of God’s presence in their lives. They took the time to lift up praise to God and to give Him thanks for His provision…to give thanks for the opportunity to serve…to give thanks for His presence and His power in the midst of their troubles. And then as they noticed and paused and chose to focus on God’s presence, His powerful peace was unleashed! In the midst of our circumstances, will we be a noticer? A pauser? A chooser? A person of thanksgiving no matter what circumstances we are facing?

Paul and Barnabas and Silas weren’t the only ones who did this. I see this truth about the power of thanksgiving all through scripture. What was the prayer Daniel prayed just before being thrown into the lion’s den? A prayer of thanksgiving! What was the prayer of Jonah’s heart before he was delivered onto dry ground after 3 days in the belly of a fish? A prayer of thanksgiving! How are we instructed to pray in Philippians 4:6 when we feel anxious about anything? We pray with thanksgiving! And what is the result of each of these situations where thanksgiving is proclaimed? PEACE…POWERFUL, UNEXPLAINABLE, UNCONTAINABLE PEACE! “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

Webster’s definition of thanksgiving is: a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.
As we draw closer and closer to Thanksgiving, I wonder how we might celebrate God’s divine goodness today? I wonder what might happen if we decide, in the midst of our struggles and troubles, to notice, and pause, and choose something for which to be truly thankful? 

Dear Lord, will you help me notice things for which I can be thankful in each and every situation I find myself in today? Will you help me remember to pause and acknowledge this as evidence of your presence? And will you help me remember to choose to focus on Your presence until Your powerful peace rushes into my heart and helps me see everything more clearly? Thank you for the reality that thankfulness changes everything! In Jesus’ Name! Amen!
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Pastoral Counselor's Message

9/22/2021

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by Pastor Hal Toenjes, Senior Pastoral Counselor, LWML CNH

Safety First?
In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:1

A few years ago I had one of our kids in for a checkup. Then came the part where the doctor asks me, the parent, to leave the exam room briefly. In just a minute I'm invited back in. Later I asked my son what the doctor did when I was out of the room. Well, among other things, the doctor had asked if my son felt safe, if he could sleep well. Normal questions. I'm glad that doctors are concerned for the safety of children.

So I'll ask you … do you feel safe? Can you sleep well? Perhaps not since February of last year because of Coronavirus concerns. Or not since the outbreak of wildfires perhaps near you, or the worsening air quality that has spread. Or maybe not for a long time due to the simmering political divide in our country and our state. Or maybe it's a more personal reason that leaves you feeling less than safe: a health issue or a behavior or mental health concern. Maybe we just rarely feel … safe.

The world clearly values safety. And we should too, to the extent that we as Christians were redeemed, were bought at a price, and therefore honor God with our bodies. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, right? So we avoid reckless danger and unnecessary risks. We value safety, whether physical or emotional safety. But how much concern for safety is too much? Can we be too concerned for safety? Yes. When it becomes a god. When it becomes “Safetyism” (See Haidt and Lukianoff’s 2018 book The Coddling of the American Mind on this topic.) Then we're staring the first commandment in the face. Have no other gods before Me. What does this mean? We should fear, love and trust in God above all else.

We know that in this world we will have trouble, as Jesus said in John 16:33. We don't need reminders of that fact in these troubled days. What we need reminding of is the balance of that verse: In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. That's how we have peace, says Jesus, even in the midst of troubles--by resting in His arms.

And it seems that's how King David understood it centuries earlier in Psalm 4. After listing some of his troubles—his lying pursuers, those who mocked him and the Lord God—David concluded with a typical statement of trust: In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You  alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. In safety, really? Even when I don't feel all that safe? Even in the midst of troubles? Yes. The Lord alone defines and delivers safety.

In peace you can lie down and sleep. Why? Because the Lord is with you. He who has overcome the world through His death on the cross, is with you without fail. Though we experience Covid, or wildfires, or other great physical or emotional turmoil … and we will experience them … still the Lord neither slumbers nor sleeps. He will keep watch over you and grant you to dwell in safety, through faith in Him: safe now from the assaults of the evil one, and safe forever in His eternal dwelling place.
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The comments and opinions expressed herein on this website do not necessarily reflect the beliefs and point of view of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League or The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.  Statements are made exclusively by the author(s) and appear as written and have not been subjected to the Lutheran Women's Missionary League or The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod doctrinal review process.
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