THE EASY WAY OR THE HARD WAY?
My oldest grandson who was eight, was staying overnight with us. As we were preparing for school, tragedy struck. We didn’t have his favorite shoes. He refused to wear the shoes we had for him, and complained the entire way to school.
Eventually I said, “You have a choice. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Here’s the easy way: You put on your shoes, I drop you at school, and your day goes well. Here’s the hard way: I pull up in front of the school, drag you out of the car onto the lawn, and you walk around in your socks all day. I’ll let you choose.” As we pulled in front of the school, he climbed out of the car wearing his shoes, and quietly walked in.
We don’t have to like the “shoes” life hands us at times—a dead-end job, crippling health condition, or heartache over losing someone we love. But we have a choice. We can persist in a perpetual pity party, growing bitter and lashing out at others (the hard way). Or … here’s a novel idea. We can do things the easy way—by trusting God with our circumstances. Short-term that doesn’t sound like the easy way. But long-term? It’s far easier than harboring bitterness and anger.
Better yet, how about being grateful for the “shoes” we have, rather than complaining about what we don’t have? First Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to, “be thankful in all circumstances.” All circumstances. Studies show that gratitude possesses powerful healing properties. Practicing trust and gratitude, we discover that God wants more for us than we want for ourselves. It’s our choice. We can do things the easy way or the hard way. Even when the easy way feels like the hard way.
Ponder:
What “pair of shoes” currently exists in your life that you need to surrender to God?
On a scale of one to ten, how likely are you to respond in gratitude to this situation?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24.
Lord, in the midst of really trying circumstances, I lift up thanksgiving for the “shoes” I have. Forgive me for the times when I complain.
(Photo courtesy of: https://codysfilmandtvblog.blogspot.com/)