I've been reading a book entitled The Christian Mind by Harry Balmires. Given me more thoughts on the Christian view of suffering and pain.
But, in a sense, death is relevant to every human issue, every earthly activity, since it raises the question of the significance and status of all that transpire terrestrially. And if death is universally relevant, then it follows that the Christian’s eternal perspective is universally relevant too.
Disease and suffering, in so far as they reduce man’s total experience existence here to something not worth having in itself, cannot be reconciled with the demand of the human mind for justice and meaning in things, unless there is that beyond this life and outside this world which both compensates for suffering and transforms its total significance.
Eternal well-being is the final aim and end of things here - for Christians anyway.
I've been really challenged by his writing to think Christianly about issues and to be aware of how subtly I have been won over by secular thinking in considering daily issues of life. A lot of my wondering about death and suffering must be reviewed in light of eternity. No, that will not not change anything as in there will still be injustice and tremendous suffering that cannot be explained. It is simply to put things in perspective. Thus my focus is not to discover the reason for every painful experience because its significance is not in the experience itself. I realise that I have been trying to find the meaning of life by observing life itself, which is a secular way of thinking, allowing the material and physical world to define my existence. The truth is Life, my life, can only derive meaning, value and significance from the One who is beyond this life and outside this world.
The above realisation alone has made my recent efforts to work through some of these issues as seen in the many blog entries on this depressing topic of suffering and pain, totally worth it!
Monday, April 11, 2005
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Carried Our Sorrows
In the light of Easter and the recent earthquake, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at suffering and how God works out His plans through it. Been thinking about how God has allowed His children and servants go through some of the most horrible experiences. I know of men who've served God faithfully for over 20 or 30 years, who have gone through anything from battling with spouse hit with cancer, lost of a spouse, child murdered, wife raped by the very people you're reaching out to, broken marriage, etc. I understand that if we choose to serve God, it can sometimes be a costly affair but I do struggle when I think of my loved ones having to pay the price for my obedience to God. It is one thing for me to accept that those who serve God may have to give up dreams of having great riches (on this side of heaven anyway) but another thing altogether to know that some who’ve agreed to serve and follow God seem to have more than their fair share of suffering.
Since these are works of the enemy, then, if I may be so bold to ask, does that mean God is unable to protect His children from the devil’s schemes? Does He take delight in seeing us suffer? Why else would He stand watching His children suffer blows upon blows without intervening? How many blows can one man take before the wind is knocked out of him? Some have suggested that perhaps God is using these sufferings to show off His ability to sustain His servants. But what glory does He get if they should give up, end up broken beyond recognition?? I guess I just can’t help but to wonder if all these breaking experiences are really necessary. Honestly, the book of Job is a hard one for me and not all that helpful for my cynical friends. For them it only serves to confirm that God is somewhat of a sadist, allowing Job to go through all those blows because of a wager with Satan? God didn’t give Job any explanation for all his sufferings. Perhaps I have to take the cue from there.
I am conscious that I live in a time where we tend to shun and despise pain, according it no value and avoid it at all cost. It is not in our human nature to choose a more painful option if a choice is presented. Many prefer to take short cuts and cut corners to get what we want in the shortest and least ‘painful’ way. People are willing to pay a lot of money to protect and insure themselves against pain, or at least, to minimize the effect of pain. Many of us have bought into the idea that pain is unnecessary and undesirable. And so we come into faith, expecting that Jesus to deliver us from all pain – like purchasing an insurance plan.
In his book ‘Gift of Pain’, Philip Yancey helps us understand that physical pain is in fact a gift from God. It serves to prevent us from endangering ourselves and causing further harm to ourselves. Imagine putting your hands on a hot stove but not having any sensation of pain? That simply spells trouble right? I came across a recent article by Selwyn Hughes reflecting on his spiritual journey. Among others, he has suffered the lost of his wife to cancer, lost of both his sons to diseases, and he himself was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few years ago. I’d say he’s had more than his fair share of suffering for any person. His many years of service in the body of Christ coupled with this extensive list of painful experiences, I think, somewhat qualifies him to comment on how we can make sense of pain. He asserts that suffering is an essential part of developing Christian character. This is what he attests to in reflecting on his experience. He goes on to say that the absence of meaning can be viewed as surrender to God’s greater meaning and purpose which we may not know or understand.
Do I know why God allows all these suffering? NO. Do I know and believe God is good, all the time? YES. Do I think God will allow us to suffer unnecessarily? No. Is there evil and wickedness in this world? Yes. Does God sometimes allow us to suffer the consequences of our sinful action? Yes, sometimes, to a certain degree. Is God in control? YES! Do I always understand why God allow innocent people to suffer? No… Do I ask for suffering? Well, only what is necessary for Christ to be formed in me. Sparingly, I hope. ;p
If Jesus needed to endure suffering how can we expect to be spared? A disciple can’t be greater than his master. This Easter I am reminded that His suffering was an equally important and vital part of His sacrifice as His death. If it was just our sins that Jesus came to deal with, then it would probably suffice that He should die. Having no sins of His own, He would have taken the penalty of our sin by His death. But no, God thought it right that Christ should not only die, but also to suffer for our sake. For my sake.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed. (Is 53: 4-5)
Since these are works of the enemy, then, if I may be so bold to ask, does that mean God is unable to protect His children from the devil’s schemes? Does He take delight in seeing us suffer? Why else would He stand watching His children suffer blows upon blows without intervening? How many blows can one man take before the wind is knocked out of him? Some have suggested that perhaps God is using these sufferings to show off His ability to sustain His servants. But what glory does He get if they should give up, end up broken beyond recognition?? I guess I just can’t help but to wonder if all these breaking experiences are really necessary. Honestly, the book of Job is a hard one for me and not all that helpful for my cynical friends. For them it only serves to confirm that God is somewhat of a sadist, allowing Job to go through all those blows because of a wager with Satan? God didn’t give Job any explanation for all his sufferings. Perhaps I have to take the cue from there.
I am conscious that I live in a time where we tend to shun and despise pain, according it no value and avoid it at all cost. It is not in our human nature to choose a more painful option if a choice is presented. Many prefer to take short cuts and cut corners to get what we want in the shortest and least ‘painful’ way. People are willing to pay a lot of money to protect and insure themselves against pain, or at least, to minimize the effect of pain. Many of us have bought into the idea that pain is unnecessary and undesirable. And so we come into faith, expecting that Jesus to deliver us from all pain – like purchasing an insurance plan.
In his book ‘Gift of Pain’, Philip Yancey helps us understand that physical pain is in fact a gift from God. It serves to prevent us from endangering ourselves and causing further harm to ourselves. Imagine putting your hands on a hot stove but not having any sensation of pain? That simply spells trouble right? I came across a recent article by Selwyn Hughes reflecting on his spiritual journey. Among others, he has suffered the lost of his wife to cancer, lost of both his sons to diseases, and he himself was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few years ago. I’d say he’s had more than his fair share of suffering for any person. His many years of service in the body of Christ coupled with this extensive list of painful experiences, I think, somewhat qualifies him to comment on how we can make sense of pain. He asserts that suffering is an essential part of developing Christian character. This is what he attests to in reflecting on his experience. He goes on to say that the absence of meaning can be viewed as surrender to God’s greater meaning and purpose which we may not know or understand.
Do I know why God allows all these suffering? NO. Do I know and believe God is good, all the time? YES. Do I think God will allow us to suffer unnecessarily? No. Is there evil and wickedness in this world? Yes. Does God sometimes allow us to suffer the consequences of our sinful action? Yes, sometimes, to a certain degree. Is God in control? YES! Do I always understand why God allow innocent people to suffer? No… Do I ask for suffering? Well, only what is necessary for Christ to be formed in me. Sparingly, I hope. ;p
If Jesus needed to endure suffering how can we expect to be spared? A disciple can’t be greater than his master. This Easter I am reminded that His suffering was an equally important and vital part of His sacrifice as His death. If it was just our sins that Jesus came to deal with, then it would probably suffice that He should die. Having no sins of His own, He would have taken the penalty of our sin by His death. But no, God thought it right that Christ should not only die, but also to suffer for our sake. For my sake.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed. (Is 53: 4-5)
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Not Dying to Knot
I've always had questions about the institution of marriage. Am not convinced it is a good deal for women generally. I know a lot of men are afraid of the big 'C' word and have doubts about tying the knot. I think the trend is for increasing number of women to have similar doubts and reluctance. Perhaps many modern women feel that the traditional reasons for getting married no longer apply today. Today more women are financially independent (I think this is a major factor), independent physically having learned how to drive and move around, there is less stigma attached to those who remain single, able to have both close male and female friends who can provide emotional support. Often she is self-affirmed and have many dreams of her own. Marriage is no longer an attractive option and seem to have lost its intrinsic value in our society. Many couples enter into marriage asking what they can personally get out of it. That is really the wrong question because the answer to that is probably nothing because marriage is not the place for us to seek to serve self but often is a place where self is put to death. It is sad that more often than not couples are more than willing to talk about their marriage woes, the horrible jokes about marriage, coupled with the high rate of breakdown in marriages - all these do not help the 'image' of marriage. Call me a cynic; perhaps a cynic open to be converted!
I did a little survey by interviewing a number of people to share what they thought is good about marriage and whether they think it is a good thing for everyone. I figured it'll be good to find out since we expand a considerable sum of money attending weddings and even more is spent by the couples and families to celebrate the said union! Whilst almost all agreed that marriage is a good thing which they will recommend for all, I was a little disappointed that not many could clearly articulate what they felt were some definite benefits of marriage. Mind you, some of them have been married for more than 10-15 years. A handful however did give very good answers... feel free to drop me a line if you'll like to know more :p
At this juncture, I'd like to share with you to an excellent article entitled
I did a little survey by interviewing a number of people to share what they thought is good about marriage and whether they think it is a good thing for everyone. I figured it'll be good to find out since we expand a considerable sum of money attending weddings and even more is spent by the couples and families to celebrate the said union! Whilst almost all agreed that marriage is a good thing which they will recommend for all, I was a little disappointed that not many could clearly articulate what they felt were some definite benefits of marriage. Mind you, some of them have been married for more than 10-15 years. A handful however did give very good answers... feel free to drop me a line if you'll like to know more :p
At this juncture, I'd like to share with you to an excellent article entitled
Monday, March 14, 2005
Dreams
Dreams are what you make them to be. Daring to dream is something I believe all of us must strive to do. It's hard to live our dreams. What is important is that we should aim to live God's dreams. They are not necessarily different but neither are they always one and the same thing. I just watched
I can't say that this dream of mine is definitely the best thing that can happen to me because like all dreams, there's a risk. Yes, if it works out fine, I will be a better person, but if it doesn't, who knows? I maybe more cynical, hardened, disillusioned than I am now (I am not saying I'm all these at the moment!) The truth is we never know, right? Can we always be sure if our venture is always going to be a success?! A success in whose eyes anyways? If measured against the world's standards of success, then it will be based on results and productivity. However if measured by God's standards, wouldn't it one of obedience and faithfulness? Results, I believe, is something that God gives in reward of our faithfulness but my primary responsiblity is to be faithful. The farmer sows and faithfully tends his field, but growth and fruit-bearing is God's part. The farmer doesn't determine if it will be 30-fold, 60-fold or 100-fold harvest. That's God's perogative.
My confidence is in God to carry me through, to bring forth His plans for my life and help me walk in His will. I believe, it is equally possible that God leads me through my desires and plans. Unless He absolutely closes the door, I can assume that I am walking in His will. I know God guides me through prayerful consideration and by my keeping an open mind towards godly counsel. I am certain that God's grace is sufficient and can redeem even my worst errors as I entrust my life into His hands. Risk taken in God is really no risk at all.
I sense His voice like a father telling his child, 'Jump, don't worry. I'm here and I'll catch you'. I love Him and I know He loves me too. Like a father who believes in his child, He is inviting me to dream. To believe in Him and to surrender my dreams to Him. Therefore I am inviting Him to be part of my dreams. Yes, I have a dream but I don't want to dream apart from Him. I am also open for Him to plant His dreams within me. Sometimes I feel my dreams are too small ... and that He's got plans that are much bigger than I ever had for myself. More than anything I desire to do His will. Lord, help me discern Your will for my life. You are my Good Shepherd who will surely lead me in the path of righteousness for Your Name sake. So is there only one path? Maybe. I know I will keep on the path of righteousness for as long as I am walking with Him. My concern and focus is not on which path I should take but on Whom I am walking with.
I can't say that this dream of mine is definitely the best thing that can happen to me because like all dreams, there's a risk. Yes, if it works out fine, I will be a better person, but if it doesn't, who knows? I maybe more cynical, hardened, disillusioned than I am now (I am not saying I'm all these at the moment!) The truth is we never know, right? Can we always be sure if our venture is always going to be a success?! A success in whose eyes anyways? If measured against the world's standards of success, then it will be based on results and productivity. However if measured by God's standards, wouldn't it one of obedience and faithfulness? Results, I believe, is something that God gives in reward of our faithfulness but my primary responsiblity is to be faithful. The farmer sows and faithfully tends his field, but growth and fruit-bearing is God's part. The farmer doesn't determine if it will be 30-fold, 60-fold or 100-fold harvest. That's God's perogative.
My confidence is in God to carry me through, to bring forth His plans for my life and help me walk in His will. I believe, it is equally possible that God leads me through my desires and plans. Unless He absolutely closes the door, I can assume that I am walking in His will. I know God guides me through prayerful consideration and by my keeping an open mind towards godly counsel. I am certain that God's grace is sufficient and can redeem even my worst errors as I entrust my life into His hands. Risk taken in God is really no risk at all.
I sense His voice like a father telling his child, 'Jump, don't worry. I'm here and I'll catch you'. I love Him and I know He loves me too. Like a father who believes in his child, He is inviting me to dream. To believe in Him and to surrender my dreams to Him. Therefore I am inviting Him to be part of my dreams. Yes, I have a dream but I don't want to dream apart from Him. I am also open for Him to plant His dreams within me. Sometimes I feel my dreams are too small ... and that He's got plans that are much bigger than I ever had for myself. More than anything I desire to do His will. Lord, help me discern Your will for my life. You are my Good Shepherd who will surely lead me in the path of righteousness for Your Name sake. So is there only one path? Maybe. I know I will keep on the path of righteousness for as long as I am walking with Him. My concern and focus is not on which path I should take but on Whom I am walking with.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Friendship Ministry
It is not good for man to be alone. (Gen 2:18)
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecc 4:9-12)
13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.... 17This is my command: Love each other. (John 15 :13-15, 17)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are designed for relationship and friendship can only be God's idea. There are many levels of relating but I think friendship is one of the best gift we can give to one another. We offer our care, concern, to share our ups and downs, joys and pains ... we offer our very self! I use the word offer because that's all we can do. It is up to the other person to accept our offer. Nothing can take place until and unless this exchange takes place. The most priceless aspect in the offering of friendship, is that we offer another the freedom of friendship. My part is to offer to accept others as they are and give them the freedom to be their true self. I have personally found that the most enriching friendship are the ones who allow me to be who I am and yet believe in the best of me, to become the very person God is in the process of making me to be. This is one of the best expression of Love, True Love. Sure we may have dreams for our friends and encourage them towards these dreams, nevertheless love demands that I grant them grace and space to pursue their own dreams, and in the process realise the dreams God has planted in their hearts.
I am grateful to God for bringing precious friends along my path. Friends whose only demand is that I be true to myself and to God. In offering me this ministry of friendship, they let me catch a glimpse of God's love. Friends who rejoice at my achievements, are saddened when I'm in hurting, ache when I am involved in any behaviour that are harmful to my well-being, act as my sounding board when I need to sort out my thoughts, give me wise counsel (when solicited ;p), cheer me on when I fall, lift me up when I'm discouraged, keep on believing in me and refuse to give up on me when I'm tempted to give up on myself! They invite me to unmask, listen without judging or rejecting me, and affirm and assure me of their love when I feel unloved, unworthy and ugly. Of course I am not saying I can be all that to all my friends all the time but I hope to do the best I can to offer this gift and ministry of friendship to those I have a privilege of calling them my friends.
Bottomline, friendship is not a utilitarian concept. Our life is to be pitied more than anything if the only reason we make friends is for what we can get out of it. May we never go so low and reduce friendship to the point where it is only valued according to its utility.
The truth is when we allow somebody to enter our life in such a manner, our lives are knitted together and it is impossible for us not to rub off on each other. Often their influence over us is subversive and it is only in hindsight that we realise that their footprints have been imprinted in our hearts. And we are changed forever....
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecc 4:9-12)
13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.... 17This is my command: Love each other. (John 15 :13-15, 17)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are designed for relationship and friendship can only be God's idea. There are many levels of relating but I think friendship is one of the best gift we can give to one another. We offer our care, concern, to share our ups and downs, joys and pains ... we offer our very self! I use the word offer because that's all we can do. It is up to the other person to accept our offer. Nothing can take place until and unless this exchange takes place. The most priceless aspect in the offering of friendship, is that we offer another the freedom of friendship. My part is to offer to accept others as they are and give them the freedom to be their true self. I have personally found that the most enriching friendship are the ones who allow me to be who I am and yet believe in the best of me, to become the very person God is in the process of making me to be. This is one of the best expression of Love, True Love. Sure we may have dreams for our friends and encourage them towards these dreams, nevertheless love demands that I grant them grace and space to pursue their own dreams, and in the process realise the dreams God has planted in their hearts.
I am grateful to God for bringing precious friends along my path. Friends whose only demand is that I be true to myself and to God. In offering me this ministry of friendship, they let me catch a glimpse of God's love. Friends who rejoice at my achievements, are saddened when I'm in hurting, ache when I am involved in any behaviour that are harmful to my well-being, act as my sounding board when I need to sort out my thoughts, give me wise counsel (when solicited ;p), cheer me on when I fall, lift me up when I'm discouraged, keep on believing in me and refuse to give up on me when I'm tempted to give up on myself! They invite me to unmask, listen without judging or rejecting me, and affirm and assure me of their love when I feel unloved, unworthy and ugly. Of course I am not saying I can be all that to all my friends all the time but I hope to do the best I can to offer this gift and ministry of friendship to those I have a privilege of calling them my friends.
Bottomline, friendship is not a utilitarian concept. Our life is to be pitied more than anything if the only reason we make friends is for what we can get out of it. May we never go so low and reduce friendship to the point where it is only valued according to its utility.
The truth is when we allow somebody to enter our life in such a manner, our lives are knitted together and it is impossible for us not to rub off on each other. Often their influence over us is subversive and it is only in hindsight that we realise that their footprints have been imprinted in our hearts. And we are changed forever....
Friday, February 18, 2005
Blessedness.... Happiness
The Beatitudes describe the blessed state of a disciple. One translation uses the word Happy. Is there any difference? I think so. You can be happy but not blessed, like when you've robbed a bank or stolen someone's husband. According to Christ, blessedness is about being truly, or truthfully, happy. Blessedness is connected to Truth. Being happy is a description of the state of our emotions, which often is dependent on external circumstances. Looking again at the list of Beatitudes, it is clear that Christ gave a list of situations that we don't usually link with feeling happy. Yet He says that such a disciple is blessed - true happiness. Paradoxical? Perhaps. However the fact that He links the blessed state of the disciple with each of these situations, I believe, is to show us that as a disciple, our state of blessedness is a constant, not dependent on external circumstances.
I have a question. Are these 'conditions' for blessedness descriptive or prescriptive? Is Jesus suggesting that as a disciple these conditions (being poor in the spirit, etc) will be my lot? Or is He saying He will transform us to be poor in spirit, pure in heart, etc? Another possibility is that as a disciple, these are spiritual postures for me to access the kingdom of God. So I'm blessed because I will experience God's mercy when I show mercy to others. But does that mean my blessed condition is conditional on circumstance or my response/state of being? Am I responsible to make or keep myself pure in heart, or am I to pursue after these 'conditions' in order to be blessed? Pure in heart and merciful I can understand if I should pursue these virtues or at least position myself to respond to Him as He develops them in me... but a bit difficult to imagine pursuing spiritual poverty and persecution?! *Eyes Rolling*
The thing to bear in mind is we must interpret the different beatitudes consistently. Can't read some as prescriptive and others descriptive, ie some as existing conditions but others as goals to work towards to. Of course, it is possible that the passage has simply not made this point clear. Thus one opinion may just be as plausible as another.
These are just some of my thoughts. Feel free to share yours.
I have a question. Are these 'conditions' for blessedness descriptive or prescriptive? Is Jesus suggesting that as a disciple these conditions (being poor in the spirit, etc) will be my lot? Or is He saying He will transform us to be poor in spirit, pure in heart, etc? Another possibility is that as a disciple, these are spiritual postures for me to access the kingdom of God. So I'm blessed because I will experience God's mercy when I show mercy to others. But does that mean my blessed condition is conditional on circumstance or my response/state of being? Am I responsible to make or keep myself pure in heart, or am I to pursue after these 'conditions' in order to be blessed? Pure in heart and merciful I can understand if I should pursue these virtues or at least position myself to respond to Him as He develops them in me... but a bit difficult to imagine pursuing spiritual poverty and persecution?! *Eyes Rolling*
The thing to bear in mind is we must interpret the different beatitudes consistently. Can't read some as prescriptive and others descriptive, ie some as existing conditions but others as goals to work towards to. Of course, it is possible that the passage has simply not made this point clear. Thus one opinion may just be as plausible as another.
These are just some of my thoughts. Feel free to share yours.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Through Mountains and Valleys
Have you ever walked through a tunnel and suddenly felt like someone turned off the lights on both sides? I believe the Lord allows me to go through valley experiences to strengthen me and help me learn to trust Him more. Sometimes when I hear people praying to learn to trust Him more... I can't help wondering in my heart if they have any idea what the answer to their prayer would look like, or if they'll gladly embrace when their faith is put to the test. Or perhaps what we really mean is that we trust Him to protect and shield us from all difficulties, sadness and pain?!?
If God only gives me mountain-top experiences, how then would I know that He can be trusted to come through when things get rough? I understand that it is in my weakness that He can show Himself strong, dependable and that He'll never let me go. It is in and through the difficult times that I experience His comfort, assurance and healing.
The irony however is that in such times, instead of running to Him, I run from Him! Perhaps I felt let down.... that He's failed to protect me like I believed He should, i.e. from all difficulties, sadness and pain. God has never promised that life would be a bed of roses. I need to let go of my own false ideas and not make up my own 'god' according to these ideas. I'm not saying He's not capable or willing to protect me from all these but He will only do what's best for developing me. His main concern is not to keep me 'happy' but to develop my faith and mould me into the image of Christ. Only when I've learned that He is faithful through thick and thin, that true faith has developed within me. It is faith in God rather than faith in all the things that the world says will guarantee happiness.
Have you noticed that true heroes of faith are not those who've not been tested? Not even those who only have 'testimonies' to share. My heroes are those who've been tried, found themselves weak and perhaps even failed, but allowed God to strenghten them. God came through for them in their trials although that does not necessarily mean He removed from their trials. My greatest respect is given to those who remain in difficult and trying situations, yet do not lose faith, become hardened or cynical, but stay joyful and hopeful!
Having said all that, it does not mean I enjoy valley experiences and you bet I won't be praying for more of them!
If God only gives me mountain-top experiences, how then would I know that He can be trusted to come through when things get rough? I understand that it is in my weakness that He can show Himself strong, dependable and that He'll never let me go. It is in and through the difficult times that I experience His comfort, assurance and healing.
The irony however is that in such times, instead of running to Him, I run from Him! Perhaps I felt let down.... that He's failed to protect me like I believed He should, i.e. from all difficulties, sadness and pain. God has never promised that life would be a bed of roses. I need to let go of my own false ideas and not make up my own 'god' according to these ideas. I'm not saying He's not capable or willing to protect me from all these but He will only do what's best for developing me. His main concern is not to keep me 'happy' but to develop my faith and mould me into the image of Christ. Only when I've learned that He is faithful through thick and thin, that true faith has developed within me. It is faith in God rather than faith in all the things that the world says will guarantee happiness.
Have you noticed that true heroes of faith are not those who've not been tested? Not even those who only have 'testimonies' to share. My heroes are those who've been tried, found themselves weak and perhaps even failed, but allowed God to strenghten them. God came through for them in their trials although that does not necessarily mean He removed from their trials. My greatest respect is given to those who remain in difficult and trying situations, yet do not lose faith, become hardened or cynical, but stay joyful and hopeful!
Having said all that, it does not mean I enjoy valley experiences and you bet I won't be praying for more of them!
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