It’s an understatement to say that the past few years have been difficult ones. Economic and natural disasters seem to be increasing annually. Many of the pundits speak gloomily of the future. It’s little wonder that only about twenty percent of Americans consider themselves to be happy. The outlook can sound and feel pretty bleak.
Fortunately, if you’re a Christian, life and all its problems are but speed bumps along the way. Christians can and should have a totally different outlook on reality. Our futures do not hinge on who gets elected President or what the Dow Jones average does. Here are seven things that each and every practicing Christian should be grateful for in 2012 and beyond.
- Prayer works. Scientific studies have shown that those who give and receive prayers do better physically and emotionally. We don't need proof, it's God's promise. God hears and responds to our prayers, maybe not in our way and time, but faithfully. Olympian Florence Griffith Joyner once said, "I pray hard, work hard and leave the rest to God." You can go it alone, but sometimes it's even more rewarding when prayers are offered up in a gathering of fellow Christians.
- You will spend eternity in heaven. The average life time is just a speck of dust when it comes to the big picture and the big picture is what Christianity is all about. One is almost certain to face trials, disappointments and challenges while on earth, but they do and will pass. Heaven is about perfection, joy, and peace. It's comforting to know that we will see our loved ones who have passed on too. When we live by God's word, we can even experience a taste of heaven here on earth. In Matthew 19:29, we are told that when we put God first, we will receive one hundred times as much as we originally had and will also inherit eternal life. Now that's a win-win if there ever was one!
- You are forgiven. None of us are perfect and most of us have made plenty of mistakes. The good news is that when we sincerely ask for God's forgiveness, the slate is wiped clean. We can move forward without being dragged down by guilt.
- You can be happy. God wants us to be happy. There are loads of studies that show that happiness is not tied to money, power, possessions or most of the things of this world. Those who believe in God are happier than those who do not. There are lots of prescriptions for a happy life in the Bible, with the Beatitudes being the most comprehensive. If we count and give thanks for our blessings daily, reach out to and do for others, find pleasure in our daily tasks, we will be happy. Helen Keller, a woman with so many reasons to be sad, said that happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
- We are surrounded by angels. Angels are messengers from God who can point believers in the right direction and remind us that there is much good beyond this world. I have never seen an angel to my knowledge, but assume that is a compliment to my faith. The Bible mentions angels over three hundred times. Angels are present for all of the major events in the life of Jesus. The Bible says that there are thousands and thousands of angels who can bring us comfort and guidance from God. Some faiths believe that each of us have a guardian angel. While some may have wings, I think that angels can take on all kinds of appearances, like wind and fire. Angels can be kind and merciful, but also strong and powerful. They have been around since the beginning and are not limited by physical laws. It's comforting to know that angels come to us when we die and usher us to the next place.
- The Holy Spirit is alive and working among us. Just as there are angels, the third part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit remains on this earth and fills our hearts with love, joy and compassion. The Holy Ghost lives within us and can be there for us in good and bad times. He can act as a counselor, teacher or give us the power to do what we may think is impossible. The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5: 22,23, that when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, we will be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
- God can and does work miracles. The Old and New Testaments are full of examples of the power that God can have in the lives of those who are faithful to him. Look at Elizabeth, long past her childbearing years, she gave birth to the boy who would become John the Baptist and prepare the way for Jesus Christ. There continue to be healings and other events that cannot be explained that inspire us on a daily basis. Only the most naive and foolish would not believe that these are the actions of a loving and heavenly Father.
So as we look forward to the year ahead, we have a choice. We can live in fear and worry about the things of this world that are largely out of our control, or we can put our trust in God, relax and enjoy the ride.
Saundra McKee - Saundra McKee earned her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. She is a Professor Emeritus at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She ...
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