I recently read a story about Snoopy at Thanksgiving. He was lying on top of his doghouse and grumbling to himself about eating dogfood while the humans in the house gorged on turkey, dressing, and desserts galore. Then he thought to himself, "It could be worse. I could be a turkey!"
As we go through life in a decaying body, surrounded by all sorts of evil, we can take a lesson from Snoopy. It could be worse. We could live in Ukraine in the middle of a war. We could be a woman in Iran where there is utter oppression and no chance of freedom. We could be lying in ICU with many broken bones from a car accident. And on and on.
Our blessings outweigh all the difficult things we face on earth. Just living as a child of God gives us untold reasons to rejoice. Paul wrote to the Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!"
Two months ago I had surgery on my right thumb due to arthritis. My thumb is still swollen and painful. I saw the doctor this week, and he said, "Give it another month; the swelling should go down." Reflecting on Snoopy's story reminded me that it could be worse. I could still be in a cast. I could be in worse pain. I could be unable to type.
I choose to rejoice in the Lord! A swollen, painful thumb is a minor thing. Our bodies are not designed to last forever on this earth. Someday we will live in our glorified bodies, and we will rejoice in the Lord forever. The phrase, "It could be worse" will never enter our minds because life on this earth will be over. May we choose gratitude in the midst of difficult circumstances, knowing that the Lord loves us and will bring us safely to heaven through Christ Jesus!
See you next week!
