A number of years ago several people I knew were hospitalized about the same time, and during the course of their stays, each had experienced rather miraculous healings. In a group setting these healings were discussed, and I remember one brother gushing, “Now God’s working! Hallelujah!” As I thought about his statement later, I mused, Why is it only a miracle when somebody’s healed? Isn’t good health a miracle too? Isn’t God working just as much (if not more) when we experience wellness 98% of the time?
The point is that we shouldn’t be imploring the Lord only when things go wrong, but perhaps even more importantly, we also need to praise God when things go right!
- When the tumor in your bowel you were worried sick about turns out to be benign;
- When the duties of your new job are more difficult than you had ever anticipated, but then one day it “clicks” and everything seems to fall in place;
- When you’re sure that what you’re experiencing is a heart attack, but it turns out to be heartburn;
- When you learn that your company will lay off fifty people in the next six weeks, but you’re not one of them;
- When you hear car brakes screech outside, but as you dash to the door, your child is safe;
- When you’re discouraged and frustrated with life, and out of the blue a long-time-but-not-heard-from-in-15-years friend calls and cheers you with lighthearted conversation;
- When for once you pick the right line at the supermarket;
- When you come out after work and discover your car lights were on all day, but there’s still enough juice in the battery to get it started;
- When the overdraft notice you were uptight about turns out to be the bank’s error.
Isn’t God working just as much (if not more) in our lives when things go right? It’s logical to praise Him for the “obvious” miracles, but I need to learn to also express thanks when things go right so much of the time. Hallelujah!
September/October 1989