The PTLA Club
Posted By FarmerJ on November 19, 2009
Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. ~ Romans 12:15
The subject of praise and thankfulness has been weighing heavily on my heart lately. It’s not solely because Thanksgiving is fast approaching ~ I think it’s more the entire season that has brought me to this. I came across something in my studies the other day that I’ve been giving a lot of thought. I’d like to share it with you, and I’m very interested in any thoughts you may have after you’ve read it, too.
“I want to share with you some words of caution and admonition. First, let us be on guard that we do not reduce praise to the level of mere clichés.
I heard some years ago of a group of Christians who called themselves “The PTLA Club.” The initials PTLA, I understand, mean “Praise the Lord Anyway.” I have it on good authority that on one occasion the group visited the home of a father and mother whose son had been killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking home from school.
‘Well, PTLA,’ said the spokesman for the group to the grieving parents.
‘PTLA?’ said the father. ‘I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.’
‘Praise the Lord anyway,’ said the spokesman. ‘If you do that, you will stop concentrating on your problem, and you will feel a lot better for it.’
Can you think of anything more insensitive than that remark? There was nothing wrong with the advice to praise the Lord, but in this case it was ill-timed and inappropriate.
What is it that makes Christians mouth important statements such as ‘Praise the Lord’ and turn them into clichés? There are many reasons, but the main one is a lack of deep faith in the providence of God, and so they try to reassure themselves with nice-sounding phrases. It is a form of escapism which seeks to dull the harshness of reality. One Christian psychiatrist refers to it as a form of Christian Schizophrenia ~ a faith that maintains itself by means of a fantasy world, completely divorced from the real world of pain, suffering, evil and a cross.” – Selwyn Hughes
Not only is it vital that I remain sincere in my praise and thankfulness to the Lord, but it is imperative that I remain sensitive to the pain and suffering of others so that I do not quickly gloss over their problems with a quick PTLA. I must remain cognizant of not only what I say, but when I say it.
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You know, you’re onto something here. I have felt this, but not been able to describe it. I’ve been in the room when someone has ‘gone PTLA’ on someone who has just experienced some form of tragedy or loss, and it’s all sounded rehearsed, or staged, or whatever. Sometimes ‘fake it till you make it’ is just, well, fake.
Thank you for sharing this, and giving me something to think about.
I understand what you mean about not being able to describe your feelings, Laura. I have additional thoughts ~ some more along these lines, as well as others regarding the sin of thanklessness ~ but I can’t seem to form my thoughts into coherent sentences.
Proverb:25:20: As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
Thanks for sharing this Farmer J. Unfortunately I have seen this practiced many times by unmature, unsensative people who lack wisdom and understanding .
As God’s word tells us there is a season to everything
Ec:3:4: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Hugs, GG
I know many who use the phrase “Praise the Lord” have made it a cliche of sorts. They just spit it out there, but I often get the impression (and sometimes my impressions are incorrect, so take it for what it’s worth) that they don’t actually ‘feel’ the phrase. When I say “Praise the Lord”, I truly mean stand up and holler, sing, raise your hands to heaven and scream at the top of your voice “Praise the Lord.”
But to say PTLA to someone that has lost a loved one is a hard thing to stomach. First off, there is a time to mourn, a time to praise, a time to sit still, and a time to speak up, etc. I’m sure you know the verses from Ecclesiastes that I’m referring to. I certainly don’t feel the PTLA is an expression that God wants us to use during a time such as that. This is just my very opinionated opinion, of course.
It is okay to mourn our lost ones. Jesus wept at Lazarus’ grave. He mourned his friend. But Jesus used it for good (Romans 8:28) in that he showed the people the glory in the Lord by resurrecting Lazarus. Sometimes the ‘good’ that comes out of a time of suffering is NOT apparent at said time. Sometimes it takes years or a whole lifetime to see the ‘good’ in something. AND sometimes, we never in are carnal minds come to the point where we can see the ‘good’ that is worked by a form of tribulation, trial, or suffering.
Also, we live in an evil, fallen world. Therefore, I really would not want to PTL for an act that Satan may be responsible for. But I do trust the Lord to ’cause all things to work together for good to those who love God.” (Romans 8:28 again).
So, I say, “Praise the Lord” for my wonderful family, my happy life (which sometimes isn’t always happy, but it mostly is), the bounty that God has bestowed upon me through His grace…..and my list could go on and on and on. But I really don’t think that I would be telling a loved one that they need to PTLA over anything. I would rather let them actually ‘see’ the glory that God will obtain through His righteous works.
Okay, stepping off my soap box….I just found this soooo amazing that your post was about this, when pastor this morning preached a whole sermon on the topic. Unfortunately, I pale in comparison to his wonderful sermon:)