Stories
Who doesn’t love a good story? The medium in which we prefer our stories may differ from person to person, but I think it’s pretty fair to say that whether you like movies, books, podcasts, or plays, it’s hard to beat a good story. You also may not have thought about this, but all good stories share some things in common. It doesn’t matter if it falls into a category of action, sci-fi, horror, comedy, drama, or my wife’s favorite rom-com; every good story is going to share a few commonalities.
First is the introduction to our characters. During this time, we begin to find out who the story is about and how these characters may intertwine as we learn more. Next up is the problem or obstacle that must be overcome. By this point, our characters may still not know each other. In most stories, they do, but in others, it’s the obstacle that brings them together. Once we’ve learned the scope of the obstacle, we usually see the characters reach the story's climax. It’s at this point where we’re most engaged in the story. Last but certainly not least is the conclusion. This is where the type of story may dictate the way things wrap up. The rom-com will typically see the characters get together and go on to live happily ever after, whereas the action movie will see the hero walk away victorious from a major battle with injuries that a normal person could not overcome (a la Rambo 1-632). Speaking of which, how can they even keep making movies about a guy fighting battles well into his early 70’s?! Wait, never mind …
I think you see my point. A good story can draw us in and, at times, allow us to suspend reality for a little bit to see life unfold, all within the confines of our imagination. Something we may not even realize, though, is that as we go on this journey with these characters, their payoff for their struggles is usually more apparent. All within this brief period of time, we get to see how their challenges are overcome and how their worries fade away. How their doubts are squelched, and how their hopes have come together. Then, as we walk away from the movie, turn off the show, or set down the book, we’re brought back into our own stories, many times filled with realities and struggles that seem overwhelming. Truth is, life is hard, and to quote the famous theologian Rocky Balboa, “You, me, or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward.”
Your Story
Enough of the fictional characters; let’s get down to what’s important. At the end of the day, all of our lives are a story. We just don’t get to see how it all plays out from an outside perspective. We actually live it and feel all the joy, hurt, fear, and doubt that come our way. As we navigate it all, it can be easy for us to lose sight of the joy and the hope we have in Christ. If you were to look back throughout your life, what would be the key moments of your story that you recall? Would it be the huge moments of growth, the crushing failures, the times when you were filled with joy, or the times when fear and doubt got the best of you? In most cases, it’s easier to allow the difficulties to stand out past the victories, but the reality is we get to make that choice. With this in mind, I want to share with you something that I tell many of the people I talk with who come through the Counseling Center and are struggling with the hardships of life, and it’s found in Philippians 4.
Rejoice
Quick insight on Philippians. Paul is writing this book from jail to give thanks to the church he had planted in Philippi for their gifts and support, but more so to encourage them in the midst of their suffering and persecution. Paul’s words throughout are a reminder of the love and sacrifice Christ has made for us, but also a reminder that we have the opportunity to be a light and example to others of Christ’s love. This idea culminates in Philippians 4:4-9.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
As you read Paul’s words, what stood out to you? Seriously though, I want you to answer these questions and even write your answers down if you need to. Let’s try this again.
As you read Paul’s words, what stood out to you?
When you think about your own life, what moments bring rejoicing? Worry? Thankfulness?
Of those moments, which ones do you focus on more?
What can you do to change your perspective?
Here are my thoughts and a little bit of my story. When I was a kid, I struggled with some things. My parents' divorce was difficult for me, but I knew it wasn’t easy on them either. I tried my best to complain or show my struggles as little as possible. I’m sure they saw and heard it more than I think they did, but to me I felt like I tried to keep things to myself. Personally, though, I struggled with my self-image and worth. I was always the smallest kid in my classes and youth groups. I was picked on for this quite a bit, and at times, I remember my emotions with it would boil over. One of these times, I remember talking with my mom, and she reminded me that I had a choice in how I was going to handle all of this. I couldn’t change how tall I was or how people treated me, but I could change how I felt about myself. Each day I woke up, I had a choice. I could wake up feeling down about the day before, or I could wake up and be thankful. I could pray and tell God that I was grateful for a new day with new opportunities to learn about and lean in on Him. From there, I could be upset about things outside my control, or I could be thankful for what God had done to this point and even what He was doing in the hard stuff. All of this, though, was my choice.
This was a challenging concept for a middle-school-aged kid, but I tried my best. If I’m being honest, though, I failed quite a bit. So much so that when I was in my early 20s, some friends from church called me out and reminded me that I had to stop being so pessimistic. They weren’t being mean; they were being loving. They bought me a metal water bottle that said my glass is always half full, and I would take that water bottle with me everywhere. It went with me daily to the gym after work for years and survived numerous mission trips and camps. Unfortunately, it disappeared one day, but that’s ok because it wasn’t the water bottle that mattered. It was my focus and relationship with Christ. I had a choice, just like Paul pointed out. I could rejoice in all things. I could give thanks to God in the midst of my struggles and worries. I could lay my cares and concerns at His feet, and I could look back throughout my life and see how He was faithful then. He is faithful now, and I trust He will be faithful in the future.
This was my choice. It’s your choice. To find the gratitude in every circumstance and lean in on Christ along the way.
Practical Application
I will leave you all with the same assignment I would someone who comes into the counseling center. Looking back on this passage, we can do something very tangible and have a daily reminder of it. Take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. On the left side, you’re going to write “Thanks” or “Gratitude,” and on the right, you can write “Worries” or “Fears” or “Doubts.” Next, write out everything that comes to mind on the left side first. It can be big or little things you’re thankful for. It can be something that happened today or something from decades ago. There’s nothing wrong to write, but it should be a long list if you’re honest and think through your life. Don’t stop writing until you can’t come up with anything else. Once you finish that, fill out the right side. These are the worries or struggles you’re praying for. When you finish, look back at the left side and see if there's anything you’re thankful for. This is a reminder that God was showing up in the past, that He’ll carry you through the present, and that He’s faithful in the future. If you need to talk more about this, don’t hesitate to reach out.
