Experiencing A God-Enthralled Life Habakkuk 3   "There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions as the knowledge that there is a meaning in one's life." Victor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning   “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning   “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning   “Though Harris Teeter shut down, nor there be any Bi-Lo’s in near sight, though the produce section lie bare with no lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, oranges, and apples, or no bread is to be found on the shelves. Not even one final crumb. Yes, though there be no New York deli’s, no In N Out’s, no taste of Kripy Kreme’s freshly baked glazed donuts, nor nothing to kill and eat. Even though chasing food will be like chasing the wind, through all this God you will be the un-consuming fire that satisfies my divinely shaped soul.” THE BCP, AKA The Bobby Conway Paraphrase   “The food items listed here seem to be mentioned in ascending order of importance. Figs were perhaps the most luxurious items in the list. They were important as a source of sugar but were not essential… “Grapes” produced wine, the normal daily drink. To be without it was a hardship but would not kill anyone. “Olives” gave oil, which was used for cooking and lighting, and the lack of this oil would be a serious inconvenience. “Grain” (primarily wheat and barley) provided the staple food for the entire population, and the loss of the grain crop would mean starvation on a large scale (compare Gen 42:2). The death of all the “sheep” and goats would mean no meat, since these were the animals most often eaten. It would also mean no wool from the sheep, with which to make warm clothes for the winter, and no milk or other dairy products like butter and cheese from the goats. “Cattle” were eaten rarely and only as a luxury, but without them there would be no help with plowing to prepare the ground for a crop the following year. A Translators Handbook on the Book of Habakkuk, p. 136     Five Realizations to Experiencing a God-Enthralled Life   1. Realize that inner peace is defined by our relationship with God, not by the abundance of our resources.   2. Realize that God must be the ultimate object of our joy.   3. Realize that when God speaks we must take heed to obey His Word   4. Realize it’s not our circumstances that determine our joy, it’s our attitude and perspective about them that does.   “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.” Chuck Swindoll   *Realize the seasons of life you despair the most are really the seasons you can grow the most.     BEGINNING                                        END                 He in the pits                             He’s on the mountaintops He’s questioning                       He’s trusting He’s worried                             He’s worshipping His faith is wavering                 His faith is unwavering He’s filled with questions          He’s filled with awe He’s venting at God                  He’s rejoicing in God He’s doubting                            He’s believing He’s struggling                          He’s singing He feels God forsaken                He’s God enthralled!       Small Group Discussion Questions:   What stood out to you from today’s message? Why is having the right theological perspective so vitally important? What is robbing you of both joy and experiencing a God-enthralled life?