Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

 Sometime while in post-trauma, I can allow crisis to define my thinking and emotions.

In a nutshell: NO GOOD. NO GOD.

When I feel myself slip into emotional turmoil and upset, instead of focusing on friends and family who have been by my side, the cloud over my head cripples me to believe that I am alone.

Instead of focusing on the monetary wins that I have received especially after a financial downslide, in a split second, I can reawake the vision of the wolf at the door.

Instead of trusting, at least sometimes, after suffering a divorce, a new romance in my life is not necessarily going to kick me overboard, but maybe, in actuality, help keep the float above water just a little more.

Negative thinking destroys me. It lies to me and tells me there is no promise of a tomorrow.

If ever there was a promise of tomorrow, it is the theme behind Calvary. However, swallowed by the darkness of Calvary, Jesus was not a negative thinker and not one to throw a pity party.

I mean, did he say, “Hey, wait a minute, I’m a good guy. I got a lot of charitable acts to prove it. I don’t deserve this. It’s not fair. It’s not fair!  It’s not fair!”

Did he cry uncle?

No, he had said seven things, which Christians emphasize especially during Lent, Holy Week and Good Friday.

As quoted from Wikipedia, “Sayings of Jesus on the Cross”:

1. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).
2. Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43).
3. Woman, behold your son: behold your mother (John 19:26-27).
4. My God, My God, why have you forsaken me, (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34).
5. I thirst (John 19:28).
6. It is finished (John 19:30).
7. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46).

(Traditionally, these seven sayings are called words of 1. Forgiveness, 2. Salvation, 3. Relationship, 4. Abandonment, 5. Distress, 6. Triumph and 7. Reunion.)

On Cavalry, Jesus experienced abandonment and distress; juxtapose that with forgiveness, salvation, relationship, triumph and reunion, and you know these are not the ingredients for a robust pity party.

The thought of Calvary helps me turn my thinking around and abandon the pity party grab bags.

To me, God is light not darkness. Birth not death. Resurrection. During this Christian time of Lent, it is good for me to reflect upon this especially when the old negative gremlins attack.  If I set my sights on my Higher Power instead of my brainpower, then I am guaranteed that the beam of light will bleach out even my most tar-soaked moments and absolutely bring me the hope of tomorrow without compromise.

Until next time….Faith forward!