"Surviving the Mac Truck"

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:10-13 NASB).

Yesterday I shared a little about overcoming fear, worry, and anxiety. Really it was more about what Jesus’ called “abundant” life. I am convinced that the grace of God won for us through Christ is available to anyone at anytime. However, I am equally convinced for us to enjoy the benefits of this grace it is important not only to have a positive attitude and to think positively but to be a positive realist. Let me illustrate with a story from the memoirs of Admiral Jim Stockdale. He was repeatedly tortured during eight years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi during the Vietnam War. His story is very revealing.

In an interview with author Jim Collins, Admiral Stockdale commented that the optimists were the ones who were least likely to survive the camps. He wrote, “They refused to accept reality. They kept predicting that they would be freed soon. And every time their predictions failed, they lost a little more hope, until one day the optimists died of broken hearts. They had great attitudes, but they failed to deal realistically with their situation.” That’s seems strange at first read, but Stockdale further remarked, “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

Let me put it another way. If you've been hit by a Mac truck all the optimism and positive thinking in and of itself won't take the pain away. One needs to be a positive realist who says, "Yes, I've been hit by a massive problem. I've been hurt badly and am in deep pain. However, with God's help and any other help I need, I will do everything in my power to overcome my circumstances and survive triumphantly.

The apostle writes that he has known both the good and bad experiences of life, just like all of us. His secret to contentment was not in denying the reality of those times that were difficult, but in relying on the strength of the Father to get him through them. Some of you may never have been hit by a Mac truck in life; hang around a while, it will happen! It’s a part of our fallen world. Also a part of this fallen world is the truth that God has provided a means for redemption from it! If you’ve been run over a time or two, acknowledge the reality of the pain; and, trust it to the One who has the power to carry you through it to victory!