Encouragement

The Chill Factor

by John Huckstep
11/03/16
Free to Share

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

I truly believe God arranges divine appointments at least once in every lifetime. Today was one of those times. I just happened to run into our pastor while strolling through our many downtown shops. Pastor Jim was one of those rare pastor's who always took the time to make you feel like the most important sheep in the fold. After a few how ya doings and what a beautiful day greetings I asked the pastor if he had time for a cup of coffee?

 “I would love a cup.” He said.

 We walked silently toward the coffee shop, I had my head down, eyes lowered, wondering what I had gotten myself into. I really didn't expect the pastor to accept my offer, I had no idea what we would talk about, after all I had only been a member of his church for a few months. We sat down, ordered our coffee, and while I was trying to think of something profound to ask the pastor I heard him softly say, “Have you ever heard of the chill factor?”

 I looked around thinking he might be talking to someone else but he was looking directly into my eyes. I let out a nervous little laugh and replied. “Are you talking about the temperature in Alaska?”

 “No.” He said. “I'm talking about the human chill factor quota, you know we all have one.”

 The waitress arrived with our coffee, the pastor slowly poured a little cream into his cup. “Cream?” He asked. “No thanks, straight up black for me.” I took a sip of coffee and asked.

“What is the human chill factor quota?” while stirring his coffee he said. “It's an indicator of unhappiness.” “How so?” I asked.

 He smiled. “Has anyone ever told you to chill?”

 “Yes, I've been hearing a lot more people tell me to chill lately. It's an election year ya know.”

 “It's not a good word.” The pastor ripped open a packet of sugar as he waited for my response.”

 “Go on.” I said.

 He poured the sugar into his coffee and said. “If your friends or family are constantly telling you to chill or chill out it's a warning that you are letting your circumstances affect your mood, your happiness, and your day. I call it the chill factor.”

 “Wait a minute.” I said. “If I wake up, step in my cat's accident, turn on my coffee machine only to find the electricity is out and then see my cat walking toward me with diarrhea matted hair---- Well, those circumstances are going to have a direct correlation on my mood for the day.”

 Pastor Jim laughed at my illustration and said. “On the other hand, if you woke up, didn't have any cat accidents, walked over and plugged in your coffee pot and got a wonderful cup of nice smelling coffee, then saw your purring cat walking toward you with perfectly groomed hair. Isn't it still possible for you to arrive at work in a bad mood?”

 “I suppose so.” I said.

 Pastor Jim took his last sip of coffee and said.

 “Here's the secret to overcoming the chill factor quota. You and you alone determine how you will respond to your circumstances but remember that there is little correlation between your circumstance and your happiness.”

 The waiter asked Pastor Jim if wanted a refill. “No thanks, I really need to get going.”

 He pushed his coffee cup away, leaned toward me and said. “Corrie Ten Boom endured the worst circumstances one can imagine as she struggled daily to survive in a Nazi concentration camp. I'll leave you with her words of wisdom.”

 Pastor Jim stood up grabbed the coffee bill and said. “Corrie Ten Boom said this.”

 “Happiness isn't something that depends on our surroundings (circumstances)----It's something inside ourselves.”

 I nodded and said. “That's why movie stars who have great wealth, huge homes and beautiful surroundings can be unhappy while those with far less than ideal circumstances are happy.”

 “Absolutely.” The pastor said.

 He walked around the table, knelt down and whispered in my ear. “Beware of the chill factor.”

Not another word was said but I knew that I now possessed a little bit of profound wisdom.