Concordia Self-Study Bible says that the theme of Habakkuk is to "trust in God's providence's regardless of circumstances." Even in suffering and loss, rejoice! That's also the theme Ann focused on in this chapter.
My insides get twisted up when considering some of realities she states - We all lose every single person we love. There is never another way. Think about that too long and you find it hard to breathe. (188) Some days it's hard not to panic.(188) That's the truth.
That's the scene in which Habakkuk calls out his message - rejoicing in the Lord happens while we still struggle in the now.
Struggling and rejoicing are not two chronological steps, one following the other, but two concurrent movements, one fluid with the other. (189) I have that sentence underlined and starred. I have to wrap my head around that one.
Her analogy is perfect for this time of year (here anyways!) As the cold can move you deeper toward the fire, struggling can move you deeper toward God, who warms you with joy. Struggling can deepen joy. (189)
The secret of joy is always a matter of focus: a resolute focusing on the Father, not on fears. All is fear is but the notion that God's love ends. When does He ever end? When you can't touch bottom is when you touch the depths of God. (189) So, why do I fear? I know His love never ends. Then where is my focus? Maybe I should read Habakkuk more often!
There are other good one-liners in this chapter, for sure! I love how it ends … Behold the goodness of the God of your salvation everywhere, and be held - how His love falls like blossoms of grace in December. (190) Something to keep in mind when the snow falls …
Question #1 - I've been waiting for joy to come to me before giving thanks when I should already be giving thanks and rejoicing amid the struggles.
2 comments:
What Ann said and what Rachel said. Ditto.
From my perspective, this chapter was right on. As were Rachel's comments in response.
Behold and be held. Love it!!! Reminds me of the story of someone lifting a heavy load and struggling against it, and then he is told to put the load down. When he does, he realizes God is carrying both him and the load in the palm of his hand. I can't remember where I heard that.
A song of thanks steadies everything. Not easy to do in the midst of the storm, but if we can turn our eyes away from our troubles for just a moment to focus on God and all he's done and is doing for us, our balance can return.
p. 189 - Struggling can deepen joy. Yes, it can, when one looks to God and His Word for answers during the struggle.
"Assurance grows by repeated conflict.... When we have been brought very low and helped, sorely wounded and healed, cast down and raised again... and when these things have been repeated to us and in us a thousand times over, we begin to trust simply to the word and power of God." - John Newton (p 191)
My husband is in the military. We have moved 6 times since he entered the service in 2001, and he has been deployed 4 times. The uncertainty of each cross-country move, and the challenges of each deployment along with the normal ups and downs of life have provided many iterations of seeing challenge and struggle and uncertainty, and then seeing how God provides and blesses. Now when a challenge looms on the horizon, there is a part of me that looks forward, not to the struggle of course, but to the way that I know God will reveal himself to us in it.
I thank the Holy Spirit for leading me to dig my roots deeper into God's Word during the times when I have struggled the most. The joy I find when He comforts me through His Word during my struggles is oh, so much more real, deep, and lasting than any joy offered by anything else. And that's how struggle has deepened my joy.
It would seem logical if, having these experiences, I was always completely calm and content and unfazed by struggles. But no. My sinful nature is SO easily distracted by the difficulties and disappointments. I need a kick in the pants to turn my gaze toward Jesus. Like Ann says on page 189, "The secret of joy is always a matter of focus: a focusing on the Father, not on the fears." Oh Lord, keep me until the day when I see your glory, and there are no longer any distractions!
You wrote -" Now when a challenge looms on the horizon, there is a part of me that looks forward, not to the struggle of course, but to the way that I know God will reveal himself to us in it." - to be able to get to this point is such a gift all in itself! And it's those previous struggles that He used to help you get to this point - that you are now expectant and trusting in God rather than only seeing the struggle. Praise God!
And isn't it the truth - we're so easily distracted and loose focus so we loose our minds!!
Inspired by your closing thoughts, I'm singing hymn 219 (CW) "Lord, when your glory I shall see".
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