Recently on a Christian forum I read a public post from a dear lady who was suffering from pain and disillusionment. She confessed that she was very angry. She believed God was mad at her and had taken good things from her. "My hope is almost gone and lost," she said.
I wonder if you can relate to her complaint? There have been times in my life when I've felt cruelly boxed in. My entire life became a small space, and severe emotional stress meant I found no pleasure in living, none at all. At one stage I even told my doctor, "I'll be glad when its over."
But in my opinion we need to be very careful when we feel God has stepped in and snatched our pleasures away from us. Similarly, we shouldn't see God as Someone Who gets mad at us, like an impatient spouse after a long day.
Despite how life seems, God's motivation is shaped by His love for us. His discipline is measured and focussed, designed to work against our wrongdoing and the many flaws in our human nature.
When life is slowly but surely wearing us down some of us may harbour a stubborn, rebellious streak against God. Buried deep in most of us there's a fleshly desire to shake our fist at Him because of the oppressive misery He allows. But once we do that our spiritual enemy may be freed to encourage us in our sinful attitudes, or to further attack our bodies.
I struggle with the idea that God orchestrates every little detail in our lives, even the toast that falls butter side down, or the earring that disappears down the plug hole, or the flat tyre we get while driving to help a neighbour in need!
Yes, He knows when the sparrow falls. The normal course of life provides many opportunities to learn patience. But what God allows is very different to what He deliberately plans for our spiritual growth.
All kinds of adversity and even the work of our enemy can be used to develop strong character. God can deliberately manipulate circumstances to accomplish His will. He can allow the fire of suffering to purge our fleshly ways. And when with childlike faith we seek Him with all our hearts, we will surely see Him make a difference in our lives, to His glory.
There are so many ways to discuss the pain and stress we all pass through. It's a common problem in every Christian family, and in every local church. I've had to push against this huge issue myself, rationalising biblically and submitting to God's wisdom and authority, despite my natural inclinations.
I wonder if you can relate to her complaint? There have been times in my life when I've felt cruelly boxed in. My entire life became a small space, and severe emotional stress meant I found no pleasure in living, none at all. At one stage I even told my doctor, "I'll be glad when its over."
But in my opinion we need to be very careful when we feel God has stepped in and snatched our pleasures away from us. Similarly, we shouldn't see God as Someone Who gets mad at us, like an impatient spouse after a long day.
Despite how life seems, God's motivation is shaped by His love for us. His discipline is measured and focussed, designed to work against our wrongdoing and the many flaws in our human nature.
When life is slowly but surely wearing us down some of us may harbour a stubborn, rebellious streak against God. Buried deep in most of us there's a fleshly desire to shake our fist at Him because of the oppressive misery He allows. But once we do that our spiritual enemy may be freed to encourage us in our sinful attitudes, or to further attack our bodies.
I struggle with the idea that God orchestrates every little detail in our lives, even the toast that falls butter side down, or the earring that disappears down the plug hole, or the flat tyre we get while driving to help a neighbour in need!
Yes, He knows when the sparrow falls. The normal course of life provides many opportunities to learn patience. But what God allows is very different to what He deliberately plans for our spiritual growth.
All kinds of adversity and even the work of our enemy can be used to develop strong character. God can deliberately manipulate circumstances to accomplish His will. He can allow the fire of suffering to purge our fleshly ways. And when with childlike faith we seek Him with all our hearts, we will surely see Him make a difference in our lives, to His glory.
There are so many ways to discuss the pain and stress we all pass through. It's a common problem in every Christian family, and in every local church. I've had to push against this huge issue myself, rationalising biblically and submitting to God's wisdom and authority, despite my natural inclinations.
