1 Peter 4:12-13, New Living translation

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”

Let There Be Light - How God Turned On The Light Switch When I Turned 40 (Part One)

When I was a little girl, birthdays were always special. We didn’t have much money, but my family would host a party in my honor. I got to choose the theme, the decorations, and the cake. I would always pick an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen decorated with my favorite Disney character on it. I was surrounded by family and friends. The spotlight was on me.

Once I married, that all changed. My birthdays became less special. It was just another day it seemed. I would get upset when my husband didn’t plan something special for me like a dinner date or a present. I would wallow in self-pity when I didn’t receive “Happy Birthday” texts or if my co-workers wouldn’t wish me a “Happy Birthday.”  I didn’t feel special or loved.

This year, on January 3, I turned 40 years old. I remember it was a quiet Saturday morning. My family was still asleep. I decided to write in my journal for reflection. Suddenly, it was as if a light switch had turned on in my mind. At the moment, I knew God was speaking to me. I began to write.

He allowed me to realize that my birthday isn’t about me but about Him, my Creator. When an inventor creates something new, we do not praise the invention but the one who invented it. For example, Thomas Edison created the first light bulb in October of 1879. We do not praise the light bulb itself, but the one who created it. In the same way, we should praise God for creating us!

“Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord, Our Maker!” (Psalm 95:6, NLT)

Recently, I did some digging in scripture to see if there was mention of annual birthday celebrations or parties. There were only two people that I found. They were Pharaoh and Herod Antipas. Besides them, many rejoiced when Jesus was born. It makes me wonder.

Everyday is the Lord’s day (regardless if it is our birthday or not), so let us be glad in it! Each of us has been created through Him and for Him according to His purposes. Our lives are not our own. We were not created for ourselves but for God and to serve others!

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10, NKJV)

Once God turned on this switch, spiritual growth and fruit began to sprout. My mindset had completely shifted. One truth He allowed me to realize is that we are not in control. We are not in control of the world. We are not in control of the circumstances around us. We are not in control of what people say or do. However, we are in control of how we react or not react to people and the world. Most importantly, we are in control of what we think, say, and do.

This truth created a peace in me that surpassed my own understanding. A weight was lifted. I no longer felt the pressure of trying to control my life and the people around me. I began to feel less stressed and Joy had come back into my life. Day to day living became lighter. I became less offended by what others thought or said about me. I had the security of knowing my identity is in Christ alone and nothing or nobody could change that.

My problems haven’t gone away. People still say unkind words. My family still resists the gospel and there is an adversary all around. Troubles will come and go until the day Jesus returns. We should not be surprised when they do come. This has been happening for generations.

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” (1 Peter 4:12-13, NLT)

Please come back next week to read, “Let There Be Light - How God Turned On The Light Switch When I Turned 40” (Part Two)