Robbed at Knifepoint. Could I give thanks?

Nearly 25 years ago, I was walking in a crowded street in Panama City, Panama while on assignment with the Air National Guard. It was broad daylight –and safe — so I thought.

Suddenly, I saw a figure rushing at me from my peripheral vision, and then another from the opposite side. Before I knew it, two teens had surrounded me, each brandishing a switchblade. One held a knife to my abdomen, while the other cut away the back pocket to my jeans to take my wallet.

I’ll never forget standing there, feeling vulnerable and alone, awash in emotions. The sidewalk crowd seemed to be unmoved by the robbery, as if it was everyday occurrence. For me, it was surreal, like I had been in a movie. When the unthinkable happens to us, we often feel detached, as if it’s really not happening.

But it happened. And I needed to sort out my reaction. Once safe in the confines of the military base in my room, I asked God for rapid apprehension, a swift trial and a no-nonsense judge. I wanted vengeance.

Eventually reason won out. My frustration turned to appreciation. Sure, I was out $17 and my Phillips 66 gas card, but I had all my limbs and I was breathing.

Thanks for the robbery

The 18th century Bible commentator, Matthew Henry was accosted one night by a robber on a dark London street

He was relieved of his purse, but was left unharmed. Adrenaline pumping through his body, he sat down at his desk and breathed deep. He then penned a prayer of thanksgiving.

“I thank Thee. First, because I was never robbed before

Second, because altho’ they took my belongings, they did not take my life.

Third, altho’ they took everything I had, it was not much.

And fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”

Matthew Henry took the appreciation a step further. His prayer wasn’t just about the fact that his life had been spared. He was actually thanking God for what happened.

Thanking God for the blessings in my life is easy. Food, shelter, freedom and health make for beautiful prayers. But thanking Him for the bad stuff is an entirely different discipline – and one that I’m convinced will take me a lifetime to figure out.

Can I thank God for the bad stuff, too?

Is it possible to give Him praise for a heart that doesn’t beat in time that might give way at any time? Can I thank him for hands crippled by pain that don’t work? Can I express my thanks for a spouse who walks away, for an automobile accident, or for the death of a friend? When I’m standing on the interstate, tire iron in hand, can I actually thank God instead of issuing curses?

Still. Learning.