Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

ON TOP OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phil. 4:13.

A syndrome is defined as a set of symptoms or a condition characterized by a set of symptoms working together by which it is identified, as the “not in my backyard” syndrome.

In today’s world, it is easy to find a negative syndrome dominating the lives of God’s people. It is the sense of overload, of burden that limits or negates altogether their pressing forward in the things that really count in life: that which is of God, and beneficial to self and to others. What I mean is this: When asked how one is doing or when asking for someone to actually do something, one is likely to hear: “I am doing all right under the circumstances,” or “I would love to, but cannot under the circumstances.”

Now why is it that most folks are always “under the circumstances?” Is this just an excuse, or do people really feel loaded down, depressed, unable to do what they should with any degree of joy? Doubtless, this is a condition that actually exists in the lives of some folks at times, but then they become comfortable in it, and it becomes a syndrome by which they are recognized.

The good news is that there is another, completely different syndrome that can characterize life. It is the “I can” syndrome. Folks in leadership capacity often look for someone to take responsibility for a task. They find without exception that if they really want to get something done, they call on someone who is really busy. In him/her they will find one who has learned to manage time and abilities; one who is characterized by the “I can” syndrome. Such persons live in the joy of accomplishment: on TOP of the circumstances instead of under them. This is the syndrome that characterized the apostle Paul. He, more than others, could have set forth reasons why he had enough burdens, and experienced too many heartaches, but his was the joy of involvement, of accomplishment. He is a great example of what we all can be in Christ. We should all be busy doing what we can do for the cause of Christ, not under, but on top of the circumstances. That is altogether possible in Christ!

FOR THOUGHT: How many times have you procrastinated because you were under the circumstances? Do you find joy in the “I can” syndrome? Do you see these attitudes as habitual motivators in life that become a syndrome by which you are identified?