You can’t change the weather

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Renewed hope”

Our Bible verse for today: “I’m not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances … I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11;13 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “You can’t change the weather”

I’m currently reading a wonderful little book with the title, “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier,” by Arthur Brookes and Oprah Winfrey. It’s not specifically a Christian book, but Biblical themes and Christian values are woven all throughout it.

In one chapter, Brookes refers to the work of the Austrian psychiatrist Victor Frankl. Frankl spent four years as a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. He survived, but the rest of his family died in that camp. While he was there, Frankl observed how the other prisoners handled their brutal circumstances. Some cowered in fear, they withered, and they died quickly. But others found ways to handle those circumstances as best they could. They somehow managed to find purpose and hope in the middle of the misery, and many of those (including Frankl) survived.

After he was liberated Frankl wrote a best-selling book about his lessons learned from that experience and why some people are crushed by adverse circumstances while others adapt, survive, and even thrive. The title was “Man’s Search for Meaning.” One thing Frankl discovered was that life can be lived with beauty and purpose even in the worst of circumstances. The ability to do that is a matter of attitude and perspective. That’s what Paul was teaching in Philippians 4:11-13. Through years of dealing with adversity and trying circumstances, Paul had learned that he could be content and even hopeful when he kept his focus on Jesus.

In the worst of circumstances, Paul found beauty and purpose. We can too. We can’t always choose our circumstances – life happens to all of us. And we also can’t always choose our feelings about those circumstances – many circumstances bring natural feelings that automatically come with them. In my case, my wife died. That’s the circumstance. That circumstance brings with it feelings of sadness and grief. That’s normal and natural (it would be odd and unhealthy if I did not have those feelings). The question now is what to do with those circumstances and feelings.

Arthur Brookes has a suggestion, which he offers by means of an illustration: “Feelings, in the enterprise of life, are like weather to a construction company. If it rains or snows or is unseasonably hot, it affects the ability to get work done. But the right response is not trying to change the weather (which would be impossible) or wishing the weather were different (which doesn’t help). It is having contingency plans in place for bad weather, being ready, and managing projects in a way that is appropriate to the conditions on a given day.”

In other words: roll with the circumstances, accept the feelings that come with the circumstances, then be proactive and positive as you do something constructive about the circumstances. The situation is what it is – now deal with it. You can’t change the weather, but you can deal with the weather.

Paul learned to be content, proactive, and productive in whatever circumstances he found himself, and that gave him hope. Always, he had hope. We can have hope too.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Share this:

Related

Leave a comment Cancel reply