Books Influence Our Lives

September 30, 2022

by Chet DiLeo

My life’s work included teaching literature to students, so I was immersed in the world of books. Books influence our lives in various ways such as our thoughts on politics and social issues. Moreover, books give us insight into how other people live, comfort our loneliness, and show us how to be better people. Books also teach us life lessons that inspire us to do something good for others.
Years ago, I read a book entitled Prison to Praise by Merlin Carothers. The following quotes sums up the theme:

The Bible says, "give thanks in all circumstances ...” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). God's Word also teaches us to "rejoice in the Lord always ... " (Philippians 4:4).

After reading the book, I started to get in the habit of using the phrase “Praise God” in responding to various situations. Carothers was a major influence in that regard. In addition, I believe we should always begin our prayers of petition with both praise and thanks to our heavenly father.
Merlin Carothers life had quite a number of varied experiences. For example, he enlisted in the army during WW II. Then he answered God’s call to serve as an army chaplain in several conflicts. During his dangerous wartime experiences, he learned the message of praise.
*According to an Amazon website that sells his books:
Merlin wrote a series of praise books that sold millions of copies. He served as a combat paratrooper in World War II, as a guard of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and later as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Chaplaincy in Korea, the Dominican Republic conflict, and in Vietnam. During these conflicts, Merlin Carothers learned amazing things that changed his life. Many people who have read this book have come to enjoy a happiness they never expected to experience. Christians have been overwhelmed to learn that they can live in peace as they discover the secrets of a life of praise.
These words or similar words begin the preface to the Eucharistic prayer of the Catholic Mass. “It is right and just, our duty and our salvation to give you thanks Father Almighty. … ” Gratitude is an expression of our freedom that comes from God and God alone.
In addition, we give thanks for all our blessings; however, bad things do not come from God. Yet in the midst of our trying circumstances, expressing gratitude may be difficult. Support groups like our family, friends, and church can manifest the love of God to us.
The Bible commands us to be thankful in all things. The Book of Job illustrates this message. Job seemed to have everything but then lost it all. Yet Job responded by saying, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return ... the Lord gave, and Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
*A Rabbi told the story of Reb Zusha who lived in terrible poverty. When he was asked, “How do we thank G-d for bad things?” He replied, “I can't answer because nothing evil ever befell me. Thank G-d, only good things have happened to me from the day I was born until today." May we merit the ability to see whatever occurs in our lives as blessings, like Reb Zusha?
In conclusion, God is the author of every good gift we experience in life, and we should thank him for these gifts. In addition, we should give thanks to God and rejoice because his love endures even in the midst of the evil that result from sin.
* https://www.rgj.com/story/life/2016/12/16/faith-forum-should-we-thank-god-everything-good-bad/95508172/
Accessed from The Internet on July 7, 2022