Under the Circumstances

 

We've all heard, or perhaps said ourselves: "I guess I'm doing okay under the circumstances." So, it tickled me when I read this story in Nancy McGuire's book, "Rest Assured": "Author and Christian educator, Howard Hendricks, had a favorite reply to someone who said, 'Not bad, under the circumstances' when asked how he was doing. Dr. Hendricks would retort, 'Well, what in the world are you doing under there?'"

And really, friends, what are we doing under our circumstances when we have a GREAT God who guides and leads us through all things?

Nancy continued: "From my own experience, there is not a worse place to live than 'under the circumstances' whether good or bad. If we live our lives according to our circumstances, we're either pinned to the ground, floating in the clouds, or muddling along in neutral waiting for something to happen. God never intended for circumstances to determine our spiritual frame of mind."

I liked her title for this devotion: "Living Above the Circumstances." It's all in our mind. The way we think. What we believe. What we're used to doing. If we have a deep-seated confidence in our God, we should always be living above our circumstances.

It's not always easy when difficult times come, but we have so many avenues to pursue to help us live above our circumstances. First and foremost, we have our Bible. We have music. We have devotion books. We have Christian television shows that inspire. We have Christian friends. We are part of a local body of Christ. We have prayer. Let me say that again. We have prayer, and that's the best thing we can do. 

Don't ever live under your circumstances. Choose to live above your circumstances and be able to take each day as a new day, fresh with mercies from God.  Feed your soul and you will find the frame of mind you need to overcome.

Under my circumstances? No. Above my circumstances. Yes. We only need to ask the One who cares for us.

I guess you could say, 'I'm under the circumstances' looking at this flower,

but, you know, I like the beauty!

By His Grace . . .