Psalm 62:7 (NIV)
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my
mighty rock, my refuge.
God is out rock, the place where we can go when we face despair.
Our salvation comes from God and it upon God whom we trust.
The 1960 film Pollyanna starring Hayley Mills, based on
the novel by Eleanor H. Porter, written in 1913 was released. The lead
character's full name was Pollyanna Whittier. After the death of her parents
she went to live with her wealthy but rather unpleasant Aunt Polly in Vermont.
The approach Pollyanna took to life was highly optimistic, to say the least.
She called it "The Glad Game". Regardless of the circumstances in
which you find yourself, you must always find something to be glad about.
Pollyanna first thought of the game when instead of a doll for Christmas she
ended up with only a pair of crutches. She made up the game on the spot,
determined to look on the bright side of things. In this case, she was glad she
had crutches because she didn't need to use them! And that's something to be
glad about!
Playing "the glad game" is about the only thing
that enabled Pollyanna to survive in the house of her Aunt. When she is
confined in the attic, she is "glad" that there is at least a
beautiful view from a high window. When she is punished for being late and her
dinner is only bread and milk, she is again "glad" because she at
least has something to eat.
Pollyanna's philosophy of life is genuinely put to the
test when she is hit by a car and loses the use of both legs. Lying in bed, she
comes to grips with the severity of her situation. But instead of falling into
depression or bitterness, she decides she can at least be glad that she has her
legs, even if they don't do her much good. Pollyanna eventually is sent to a
hospital where she learns to walk again and thus once more finds a good reason
to be glad.
God tells us to be thankful for everything that comes our
way, not just the good, but also the bad. Pollyanna showed it was possible as
she found gladness even in the moment of despair. This how God wants us to
live.
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