A Pastor’s Perspective

“Crushed or Content?” by Mike Hill, pastor of Calvary Chapel Aberdeen (mjhill@ida.net)

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When I was younger, I loved roller coasters.  My friends compared Space Mountain at Disneyland to flying through the galaxy.  My Dad told us one day that we were making a stop at Disneyland during our vacation trip.  I exploded with frenzied excitement.  “When are we going?!  How many more days?!”  I probably asked those questions every day.  It seemed like the clocks conspired against me with their snail-pace. Finally, vacation time arrived and I was in the long line at Disneyland for my own opportunity for space travel.  After the ride was over, I couldn’t stop babbling about all the details.  “Wow!  The turns were so sharp.  That one dip felt like we were off the tracks!  Boy,that was so fast!  Can we go on it again?”  As an adult, I still enjoy the up, down, and all-around excitement of roller-coasters.  I just need to remember not to eat food before the experience. 

When I had a crush on a girl while in the fourth grade, I discovered what it was like to be on an emotional roller coaster.  I felt high one day, then I felt like getting sick the next.  In the end, I was emotionally crushed.  I do not enjoy emotional roller coasters. 

The current crisis in the economic market has left many people financially crashed and emotionally crushed.  “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12a) and anytime you place your hope in the temporal things of this life, you’ll be heart sick.  The Bible says, “Do not overwork to be rich…for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:4a, 5b). 

The economic crisis has reached global proportions.  Millions of people are affected.  Are you one of them?  Are you crushed or content today?  The Apostle Paul discovered the key to contentment no matter what the circumstances rocket his way.  “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12b NIV).  What was his secret?  He didn’t place his hope ultimately in the things of this world.  He placed his hope in the unchanging character of God and His Word.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  Peace resides in the heart of the person who passionately pursues Him through prayer and His promises (Philippians 4:6-7). 

When I read about the financial market and gaze upon the photos on the internet, I see a lot of worried faces.  Stress.  Fear.  Desperation.  Jesus does not want us to worry.  Did you know that worry and anxiety are a sign of not trusting God’s Word?  Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:31-34). 

Instead of worrying, set up an appointment with Jesus.  Spend time with Him and pour out all your concerns through prayer.  Study and memorize God’s promises in the Bible.  Submit your life and circumstances to His authority.  Like Paul, you too can get off the emotional roller coaster of life and learn to be content through the unchanging grace of God.