Submitted by Pastor Richard Boettner, Rock Port Baptist Church

How wonderful it is to be living in Atchison County during these days of fall! We can see in a quick glance at this newspaper how many activities and good events are taking place each day. For all of this I am grateful. November 26 will bring us the holiday of Thanksgiving. I really like to think of the entire month as being a time to give thanks to God, especially as we see the harvest finishing up, and the end of a good growing season take place.

However, an inescapable reality of our existence in life is the experience of suffering or affliction. What do I do when I am in the middle of something that doesn’t seem like a blessing? Unwanted circumstances, political confusion, mechanical breakdowns, health needs, accidents, broken relationships, growing older and less productive, just to name a few.  Primary in my thinking is that I need the Word of God to feed and develop my spiritual being, and inner person, so I can experience fellowship with God, in all circumstances. Scripture reminds us to give thanks “in everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and “for everything”  (Ephesians 5:20).

At first, that may seem hard to do. It seems to be natural to complain, to become stuck in discouragement, or to doubt the goodness of God. But affliction can bring out the best in me as I contemplate the character of God, who cares for me and invites me to come to Him first in any circumstance or place of my life. I can see that inner strength comes to help me persevere, to think wisely and make better choices for the future, and to provide better relationships with other people.

What makes this possible isn’t denial or forced positivity. It is spiritual contentment with God’s presence, while recognizing that affliction may have caused me to wander from Him for a time. This honest back and forth struggle is in itself a form of new and stronger trust in God, which He develops by His Holy Spirit.

As I do this, I will begin to feel like the Psalmist in 119:71: “It is good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn your statutes.” Now I can give thanks for His work in my life to change me and help me to grow in spirit!

Thanks for allowing me to share through this newspaper column.  As always please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions at rockportbaptistchurch.com.