I’m in a funk.

There. I’ve admitted it. Don’t have to hide it any longer.

Funk [fuhngk] is defined as
1.  a dejected mood
2. the state or quality of being funky
3. a strong smell; stench
4. to be afraid of

I think I’ve got them all.

It’s interesting how things begin to roll up all at once on you, like a tsunami that withdraws first and then comes rushing ashore. For many decades I thought this was an indicator of weakness on my part. If I’m a Christian, shouldn’t I be happy — the “don’t worry, be happy” kind of a thing?

Instead, I’ve felt beat up, ridden hard, put away wet. I rail against the “injustices” of the Evil One against me, against His people. I’m blindsided by the unexpected and kicked in the groin by what was right in front of me. And, just for good measure, I have a “and your mama” thrown in on top of it all.

Know the feeling?

I know the Jesus Lord did. This morning he let me read this:

Timothy, please come as soon as you can. Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus…  Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.  The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me…

2 Timothy 4:9-17

Dang! That’s superapostle Paul jawboning. He was getting his butt whipped! But look at what he then said:

But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

Hmmm… I thought to myself, “I want some of what he had.” Then the Jesus Lord reminded me: “You’ve already got it!” Then he added: “You were never promised that rose garden that so many churches dangle before you. In fact, If I remember correctly, I said it’d be pretty darn tough. You’re a child of the Living God — you will rule in heaven; act like it! You’ve got the power and the message and the relationship with me. It’s fine to be in a funk, just remember that I rule and that means you will too.”

Kinda hard to argue with that line of thought. Maybe I’ll just stay in my funk, only I’ll let definition #2 define it!