“These are the times that try men’s souls.” Those words of Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis” came to mind as I contemplated the ongoing crisis of the immigrant children separated from their parents. It is deeply troubling that the policy was set in the first place and added to that ill-advised decision no apparent plans developed to keep track of the locations of the parents and the children so that at some point they could be reunited. Such ineptitude and lack of compassion have made me rail against the government and more alarmingly, look askance at God and say, ” Where are you? Now is a good time for you to show up and show out.” I’ve been engaged in written rants for several days, inching closer to questioning the Lord’s handling of this situation. But wouldn’t you know it. Right on time He stepped in to save me from myself. The June 22 devotional in Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling, was written just for me. I refer it to you. The first line reads, “Thank me for the very things that are troubling you.” My first reaction was, “Lord, you have got to be kidding! Beyond the usual things that trouble me, you want me to be thankful for the most troubling right now: this nation’s inhumane treatment of these immigrant children and parents? How can I do that?”
The scriptural reference answered that question for me. “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116: 17) Summoning the will to thank God for the trials and tribulations you face is difficult, often impossible for some. To do so seems nonsensical. Yet it is only when we can offer up as a sacrifice a thankful spirit for even the trials we face that we know the peace of His presence. Sacrifice is the ultimate expression of what is most important. Jesus’ sacrifice of his life showed us what He held dear: salvation for all who believed in Him and eternity with the Father for that belief. Thanksgiving for the tribulations that bring us tears and anguish requires a similar sacrifice. And it is only when we offer it freely that it “overshadows all our problems.” (Jesus Calling) The devotional ends with the words of Philippians 4:4-6. I shall allow them to help me during the days ahead to trust God’s control of this situation; to not lose hope; to be thankful that even this evil in our land will not destroy the Lord’s ultimate victory over the devil’s designs; to know that prayer works and God is faithful.