- Joined
- Oct 15, 2008
- Messages
- 3,316
- Points
- 0
Facing difficulties
The belief that affliction can yield considerable benefits has almost disappeared in Western culture. It is largely replaced by the idea that suffering or any unpleasantness is unfair and to be avoided at any cost. Perhaps this notion is partially bequeathed to us by our living in a quick-fix society that teaches us we deserve to have a pill for every ache and a fast solution to every problem. It is also part of a victim mentality—a refusal to take responsibility for one’s actions or circumstances—that can weaken a society that succumbs to it. Any society that recognizes that sometimes life is not fair and definitely not always easy—and courageously responds to challenge—grows stronger. In the modern view, pain is sinister, an enemy that must be avoided. We can view it that way, or we can see it as a warning that we need to change a behavior. If we cannot avoid it, then perhaps we can accept its challenge and become a stronger, better person. Sometimes we can do little but endure a trial and let it polish our character. Counselor Norman Wright wrote that “crisis isnot always bad. It can become a turning point in your life for the better ... [It] carries with it opportunity for growth and change”(How to Have a Creative Crisis, 1986,p. 15).The Bible reminds us that in trials we should look beyond the present and focus on the potential benefits: “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”(James 1:4,NIV).
Don’t let trials overwhelm
We are not saying that one should suffer if he can avoid it. But, when we cannot avoid it, we need to learn how to deal with suffering and, if necessary, accept it. If we do not learn to do this, our trials can lead to greater problems should we make life-altering choices as a result of the anxiety brought on by the trials. As Dr. Martin writes,“stress and anxiety ... can prevent us from sleeping properly and make us more inclined to smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol, eat too much of the wrong sorts of food, omit to take our medicine, neglect physical exercise, consume harmful recreational drugs, indulge in risky sexual behavior, drive too fast without wearing a seat belt, have a violent accident, or even commit suicide”(The Healing Mind,1998,p. 55).The high suicide rate in many nations may in part reflect people’s inability to accept that life can be difficult.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/805/Why-Does-God-Allow-Suffering
The belief that affliction can yield considerable benefits has almost disappeared in Western culture. It is largely replaced by the idea that suffering or any unpleasantness is unfair and to be avoided at any cost. Perhaps this notion is partially bequeathed to us by our living in a quick-fix society that teaches us we deserve to have a pill for every ache and a fast solution to every problem. It is also part of a victim mentality—a refusal to take responsibility for one’s actions or circumstances—that can weaken a society that succumbs to it. Any society that recognizes that sometimes life is not fair and definitely not always easy—and courageously responds to challenge—grows stronger. In the modern view, pain is sinister, an enemy that must be avoided. We can view it that way, or we can see it as a warning that we need to change a behavior. If we cannot avoid it, then perhaps we can accept its challenge and become a stronger, better person. Sometimes we can do little but endure a trial and let it polish our character. Counselor Norman Wright wrote that “crisis isnot always bad. It can become a turning point in your life for the better ... [It] carries with it opportunity for growth and change”(How to Have a Creative Crisis, 1986,p. 15).The Bible reminds us that in trials we should look beyond the present and focus on the potential benefits: “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”(James 1:4,NIV).
Don’t let trials overwhelm
We are not saying that one should suffer if he can avoid it. But, when we cannot avoid it, we need to learn how to deal with suffering and, if necessary, accept it. If we do not learn to do this, our trials can lead to greater problems should we make life-altering choices as a result of the anxiety brought on by the trials. As Dr. Martin writes,“stress and anxiety ... can prevent us from sleeping properly and make us more inclined to smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol, eat too much of the wrong sorts of food, omit to take our medicine, neglect physical exercise, consume harmful recreational drugs, indulge in risky sexual behavior, drive too fast without wearing a seat belt, have a violent accident, or even commit suicide”(The Healing Mind,1998,p. 55).The high suicide rate in many nations may in part reflect people’s inability to accept that life can be difficult.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/805/Why-Does-God-Allow-Suffering
Last edited:
