“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
Have you ever had one of those days when it seemed the sun took a long vacation? I remember the COVID days when it wasn’t one day but almost every day. It seemed we were stuck in a dark rut.
Those days and days like them caused me to stop and think. I began reading a lot (well, at least a lot for me) about rethinking the way we think. Both scripture and science prove that our brain, (not to mention our lives) respond to our thought process. It is true. Our lives move in the direction of our strongest thoughts. Or, as another person said, “where you stare you steer.” It is possible and probably probable that we can and should take some advice from Annie. Remember her?
Annie. Her life was pretty hard…pretty dark. A perky young redhead with an optimistic attitude in a pessimistic world. Others mocked her and those charged to care for her emotionally abused her. So, what was Annie’s response? Well, it goes something like this.
“The sun will come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun! Just thinking about tomorrow clears away the cobwebs, and the sorrow, till there’s none!
When I’m stuck in a day that’s gray, and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin, and say, “Oh the sun will come out tomorrow. So ya gotta hang on till tomorrow…come what may. Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya tomorrow! You’re always a day away.”
Guess what? The sun did come out. She was rescued by Daddy Warbucks and her life was changed forever. Are there still problems? Yup. Are there still bad guys lurking to hurt her–steal her away? Yup. Does the story have a great ending? Yup and three big lessons emerge. One, the sun will come out. Two. Don’t mess with Daddy Warbucks. Three, don’t underestimate a nine-year-old redhead.
I know, sometimes it seems we are stuck in a day that’s gray, and lonely. Honestly, doesn’t it sometimes seem like that? Doesn’t it seem like the good old days are fast disappearing in the rearview mirror? Well mark this down—the sun is going to come out because our Dearest Daddy is in control—not those pesky circumstances!
I read on the internet that the phrase, “And it came to pass…” appears 396 times in the Bible. Each time it is saying that the current situation didn’t come to stay…it came to pass. Listen, most likely, your present doesn’t represent a new normal…it is a set, a series of temporary circumstance. And if it is a new normal, well, His grace is sufficient. When it is all said and done, it is refreshing to know that a new day is just 24 hours away.
In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Paul writes, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Right on Paul. Right on.
So, remember this. One, the sun will come out–guaranteed. It may be here, or it may be there but the future for a child of God is filled with “Son-shine.” Second, remember who our Father is. He isn’t just rich like Daddy Warbucks–He owns it all and is in total control. And no one…and I mean no one…messes with our Father. Last, you may not be a perky young redhead like Annie, but don’t underestimate yourself. You dear friend, if you have trusted Christ, are a prince or princess of the King. Your home is heaven, and your Heavenly Father calls you His. Can someone say, “Son-shine?” The forecast says clouds but I’m feeling pretty “Son-ny.” After all, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 