In the final week of The Whole Story series, Pastor Justin focuses on testimonies of triumph. For Christians, our triumphs come from being faithful. Whether something is a triumph depends on what you’re looking at, when you ask, and whom you ask. (Psalm 40:1-3, 9-10)
The Daily Examen (explained by Fr. Mark Thibodeaux)
- RELISH the moments that went well and all of the gifts I have today. I begin by giving God thanks for all the things I’m grateful for today. I allow my mind to wander as I reflect on the ways God has blessed me on this particular day. I allow big things and small things to arise—everything from the gift of my faith, to the gift of my marriage, to the easy commute to work today.
- REQUEST the Spirit to lead me through my review of the day. Next, I want to look at the moments in my day when I did not act so well. However, before doing so, I ask God to fill me with his Spirit so that the Spirit can lead me through this difficult soul-searching. Otherwise, I’m liable to hide in denial, wallow in self-pity, or seethe in self-loathing.
- REVIEW the day. I look back at my day and ask the Lord to point out to me the moments when I have failed in big ways or small. I take a sobering look at the mistakes I’ve made this day.
- REPENT of any mistakes or failures. If I have sinned, I ask God to forgive me and set me straight again. If I have not sinned but simply made a mistake, I ask for healing of any harm that might have been done. I ask for help to get over it and move on. I also ask for wisdom to discern how l might better handle such tricky moments in the future.
- RESOLVE, in concrete ways, to live tomorrow well. I ask God to show me how tomorrow might go. I imagine the things I’ll be doing, the people I’ll see, and the decisions I’ll be mulling over. I ask for help with any moments I foresee that might be difficult. I especially ask for help in moments when I might be tempted to fail in the way I did today.