Flat Tire

1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

I was reminded of something today.

I was driving home when something didn’t feel right. Then I heard a noise. The type of noise that you usually hear when something is wrong with your tire. I pulled the car over to the side of the road, got out and checked all 4 tires. Everything looked okay. I got back in and as I started to drive away the wrong feeling and sound came back but then quickly went way.  So I proceded to drive 16 miles to my home.

When I was about 2 miles from home. The sound and feeling came back. So, I pulled the car over to the side of the road again. Checked the front left tire and I noticed that it was getting low, very low.

The first thing that went through my mind were a few unpleasantries. I was quite unhappy, upset.  And I did not praise God for the circumstance I was in.

I decided to not change my tire, as I am not that coordinated to do that type of mechanical work. I decided not to call a tow truck. I decided that I had enough air in my tire that I could possibly, hopefully, make it to Discount Tire which is less that 3 miles in another direction.

Considering my initial reactions it wasn’t until during those 3 miles when I decided to pray. I prayed that I would make it to Discount Tire without damaging the rim. And you know what? It was the quickest 3 miles cause I hit every green light. And I made it there in no time at all.

Since that tire was fairly new, only 3 months old, it still was covered under warranty. So, a new $63.00 tire was put on and the total cost to me was $10.00 . The $10.00 is for the new warranty on the new tire.

It wasn’t until the drive home did I realize I kinda acted foolishly when I first noticed I was quickly getting a flat tire. I know I prayed driving to Discount Tire but that’s not what God wanted me to realize. He showed me on the way home that He is control, to trust Him, and to praise Him for every circumstance.

Praise God For What We Have

Matthew 6:19-21 (19) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  (20) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;  (21) for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

It seems that every day we are bombarded with the philosophy that the more materialism we have the better off we will be.  I know, I have a hard time overcoming this because by nature I am a greedy selfish person.

I used to be discontented with everything God had given me and my family. I used to want more and even wanted better.  I was never happy.  I had become disillusioned because my happiness and fulfillment depended on what I did not have. I believed money and material possessions brought happiness. I had embraced the wrong type of philosophy and thinking. It was almost as if I lived the bumper sticker: The one who dies with the most toys wins.

To follow Christ wholeheartedly we (I) must reject this type of value system. I am not saying having a nice car or a nice home or nice electronics is a bad thing. It’s not. God does bless us with those things. What I am saying is when we value nicer stuff and we follow through on our temptations to worker longer and harder to gain nicer things over what Jesus has to offer, then we have begun to serve money and possessions, the wrong miserable master.

How am I trying to combat this type of thinking?:

First of all when I go out now to buy what I call expensive stuff I ask myself,  Why do I want this?  Is it something I really need?  or am I getting it because I feel it fulfill my selfish ambitions, will make me happy, and feel good inside.

Secondly, I need to be happy with what I already have because with what I already do have I am richer than 98% of the people who live in the world today. I need to be thankful and give praise to God for everything He has provided for me.

Thirdly, something I am already doing, and that is, be more giving. In the past 4 years I have learned to be more generous with my time as well as being a faithful tither and to give above and beyond. And God has blessed my family in many different areas.

Contentment, peace, and happiness do not come from money or possessions but from following the principles that God has laid out for all of us in His Word.

Do Not Complain

I’ll be honest. I know a lot about complaining.  And I’ll be honest when I say it is one of many areas of struggles in my life.  If anything inconveniences me or challenges my faith, I am very quick to complain. It just takes a fraction of a second  for me to see every bad thing that could possibly happen in any given circumstance.

It is so true that sooner or later those around you – more so in my case, my family – become sick of it. They don’t want to be around me. Often times my complaining does lead to disputes and arguements. It’s true, no one likes to be around a complainer.

Paul writes  in Philippians 2:14 telling everyone we are supposed to do all things without grumbling or disputing.

I see how complaining does rob the peace, joy, and contentment from our lives. The very thing that God intends us to use to draw others to Christ.  As well as when I complain no one wants to be around me, a miserable negative person.

Complaining is a roadblock to happiness and contentment. Complaining shows ingratitude towards God as well as complaining focuses on self rather than our Lord Jesus Christ who is working through a solution for us.  Our problems become so big that it takes our eyes off God.

So, does complaining ever do any good? Is it ever positive. Of course not. The answer is no. Complaining all the time sets a life-course on self pity, negativity, and misery.

Complaining is a choice. I need to remember to do things not man’s way but God’s way. I need to bless our Lord Jesus Christ in everything every day. I MUST respond and act in such a way as to glorify my Lord and Savior.

Ephesians 4:22-24  (22)that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,  (23) and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,  (24) and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

During the day you and I are faced with many choices to disobey God. When faced with these decisions we can put on the new life or put on the old life.  I want to put on the new life and make the decision to respond not in a complaining manner but differently. A way in which it will glorify God.