That quote, by columnist Bill Vaughan, may provide a measuring stick for your level of patriotism this 4th of July. But it also delivers a truth which few folks really get: when bad things happen, we choose our response.
When Jesus was put on trial, Peter chose to be invisible. When Elijah was told the queen sought his life, he chose to run away. When Jesus was told to give His life, He chose to submit. When Esther was told her people might die, she chose to be prayerful.
Many trials in America today center around the economy. During these trials we, too, chose our response: will we be scared? Doubtful? Will we run away? Will we take it out on our family and leave?
Actually, statistics have shown encouraging news about how married couples have responded to the recession.
An article posted by Christian Post says that 38 percent of marriages who were looking toward divorce or separation have put those plans on hold because of the recession.
That statistic is surprising considering that financial struggles are still the number one instigators of divorce. But, according to the article, even though 29 percent of couples agreed that the recession brought financial stress to their marriage, it also deepened their commitment to each other.
These couples chose the better response to their trial.
We are confronted with trials- large or small- daily. God is no stranger to our trials, and is master at transforming those trails into something way better than we could muster up with our own feeble frames.
For some, experiencing trials awakens one's need for a Savior.
Such was the case for actor Kirk Cameron. He described his life as deeply lonely and had shared such with a friend. That friend pointed to Kirk's need for a Savior.
"Kirk, what you're feeling and the things you are talking to me about are the result of the fact that you don't know God," Kirk's friend had shared.
With God's grace, weak moments point to Jesus Christ. They reveal God's strength and bring us into a deeper relationship with Him. This is illustrated throughout history.
The apostle Paul got it when he said, "I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV)
God could have taken the questioners away from Peter during the trial of Jesus. He could have taken the queen off her thrown when Elijah's life was threatened. He could have changed the course of Jesus' death when Jesus prayed so fervently in the garden. He could have made it easier for Esther to approach the king about her people. But would she then have been driven so desperately to her knees?
During the recession, we are given a choice. Make the best of your trials by putting your trust in God.