How should you deal with Good Luck/Bad Luck?

(Job 36:15)
"But God teaches men through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes."

Who have you been in a situation where you have  been stretched by God in order to learn something from him?  What did you learn?  Was the pain worth the gain?

Being a Father he will also discipline his children.  he does this for the same reason's an earthly father does.  It is a blessing to be disciplined by God when we do wrong.

(Job 5:17)
"Happy is the person whom God corrects!  Do not resent it when he rebukes you."

How does this advice ring true and applicable to you?

"All events are providential.  It is the unanimous testimony of the Bible and the theological tradition of the church that God is the lord of history, that God is in control of all events, and therefore God brings it about that all events serve the divine purpose of bringing the whole creation, and especially each person, to its fulfillment.  As Paul says, 'From God and through God, and to God are all things' (Rom. 11:36).  The main biblical image for this is the rule or Kingship of God ( Ex. 15:18, Ps. 47:7-8; Isa. 6:5; 1 Tim. 6:15).  In particular God rules all events in nature for the welfare of all creatures (Job 38: 41; Ps. 145:15-16; 147:9; Mt. 6:26; 30; 10:29), and especially each person (Mt. 6:25-33; 10:30, Rom. 8:28).  God rules and controls human history,  (Old Testament passim., Lk. 1:50-53; Acts 17:26-28; Rom. 11:30-32; 13:1-6, 1 Cor. 1:28-30) including every human action (Ps. 127:1, Prov. 16:1, 9, 19:21, 21:1; Isa. 26:12, 1 Cor. 12:6; Phil. 2:13).  God even causes evil acts (Ex. 7:3, 1 Sam. 19:9, Exek. 20:25-26, Isa. 6:9-10; 63:17, Mt. 13:13-15; Jn. 12:39-40; Acts 28:25-27; Rom. 9:18, 11:7-8; 2 Thess. 2:11-12). However this is always a means to the fulfillment of the divine plan to bring the whole creation to its fulfillment.  Thus God also overrules and uses natural and moral evil to fulfill the divine purposes (Gen. 45:5; 8; 50:20; Jn. 9:1-3; 11:4 Acts 2:23; 4:27-28)" (Theological Questions-Owen C. Thomas).

What would you say to a friend who is having a "bad time" and is becoming "bitter" to God?

St. Augustine explains that: "god knows, controls and acts in all events in order to fulfill the divine purpose for the creation (Confessions, V, 7; on the Trinity, III, vi, viii, City of God,, V, 8).

"While we live our life here on earth, so long as we live it 'with' him, and allow him to live it 'with' us, then we experience the deep joy, satisfaction and security  that the sheep knows in the presence of its good shepherd... We can  be deeply and gratefully aware of God's continuing presence with us in days when all goes well.  It is just because of that,, however, David declares, that we can be sure of him when all does not go well, even when the light fades and we find ourselves in darkness... So the idea is that God's comfort and strength are 'with' us in all kinds of darkness, in times of depression, serious illness, rejection by one's friends, horror at discovering the disloyalty of one's own heart, and so on, as well as the experience of disloyalty of  one's own heart, and so on, as well as the experience of death itself... But God's loving presence declares  David, will be real and true then as it is now when all goes well.  We are to remember that in Biblical thinking although god is light, yet he dwells in the darkness into which we must go in our turn." (George A. F. Knight - Commentary on Psalms - Psalm 23).

St. Aquinas elaborates that, "all things  are subject to the government of God who rules everything immediately according to the design of providence and some things immediately according to the execution of this design through secondary causes.  Thus God works in every action of every agent as its end, its first cause, and as its normal cause." (Summa Theologiae, 1a, g. 103-105).

How am I being improved by my Father's discipline?

According to Calvin; "Every natural event and human action is decreed, willed and directed by God" (Institutes, 1, xvi, 3-5; xvii, 6; xviii, 1-3).

D.M. Baille states it as:
"Every Christian believes also that whatever comes to him comes from God, by God's appointment, God's providence.  And not simply in the sense that God works through the natural (including the psychological) laws of His own ordaining; as if, having 'would up' the universe to run  by these laws, He had ten left it to run it course.  The Christian believes that in some sense everything comes to him directly from God whose working is always individual" (God was in Christ, pp 111-112).

How can a earthly Father protect his Child from all hurt r pain?  Should he keep his child from all personal contact; because he wants to protect him/her from any unpleasant relationship?  Then how does he protect from Loneliness and make available Love and Accomplishment?

Should a earthly Father keep his child in bed all his life; so he does not acquire any disease or injury?  What about inherited disease, or weakness of his body?  How can he provide experience and accomplishment?  God knows that in order to become morally strong and good, we must learn the difference between HIS right and wrong.  His loving discipline enables us to do that.

(Proverbs 3:11-12)
"Son, when the Lord corrects you, pay close attention and take it as a warning.  The Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son of whom he is proud."

Where have you experienced the "leading of the Lord?"

In order to allow the child to mature, accomplish things, experience emotions, love, and many other human benefits;  the child must also face the negative side.

(2 Chronicles 6:30-31)
"You alone know the thoughts of the human heart.  Deal with each person as he deserves; so that your people may have reverence for you and obey you all the time they live in the land..."

The same holds true for our heavenly father.  He provides us with free will; and if we exercise it we may face negative consequences.  If we wish to accomplish things for his glory; we must learn form it, trusting God and being willing to change.

(Lamentations 3:37-39)
"The will of the Lord alone is always carried out.  Good and evil alike take place at his command.  Why should we ever complain when we are punished for our sins?"

When you're feeling forsaken and chastened how do you express your feelings?  How do you avoid wallowing in self pity?

Penalties must be imposed by any truly loving father, because he recognizes that each of us have free will.  This free will allows us to choose God's way or Earth''s way.  if we choose God's way (and this way requires submission) versus Earth's way which gave us assumed and false control, power and other earthly qualities, we would not choose God's way,, if there were no penalties.

What "grace" (help) am II receiving which helps me cope?

It cannot be based on just reward; because our reward is in the future.  Just as in school on earth, we as children were not able to just base our educational growth on our graduation.  We needed a system of reward and penalties to be in place within the school system.

A basic concept that is very hard for both earthly and heavenly children to understand is; why can't our Fathers give us what we ask for when we ask for it?

When we are tempted to think of being rewarded for obedience, the discipline of adversity is recognized (Deut. 8:5) and a warning is uttered against ever regarding these material rewards as anything other than the evidence of a Father's Love.  Is there a more fitting word for our self-oriented society than Deut. 8:7-18?

(2 Esdras 7:18-25)
The angel replied, "Do you think you are a better judge than God?  Do you think you are wiser than God Most High?  It is better to let many people of the present age perish than to allow them to neglect the Law that God has given them.  God has given clear commandments to everyone coming into this  world, telling them what they should  do to obtain life and to avoid punishment.  But the wicked would not listen and refused to obey him.  In their foolishness they have made their own wicked and deceitful plans.  They denied the existence of God Most High and refused to follow his ways.  They have rejected his Law, refused to accept his promises, disobeyed his decrees and failed to do what he commanded.  That's the reason Ezra, that then there is emptiness for the empty and fullness for the full."

I hope you have acquired a appreciation for why God punishes the child of earth.  But why can't he reward his children?  The basic reasons that Fathers can't provide us with everything we ask for is that there are plans for our development, the families development and the world around us.  Our request may not fit into the plans at that time.  We can't really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure.  God wants to make us mature and complete, not to keep us form pain.   God will stay close.

(James 1:2-4)
"My brothers, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for your know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure.  Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, sop that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

I hope you noted some of the reasons for trials: endurance, perfection, and completion.  But I still like my way.  A loving earthly father would not provide something to his child that would harm him.  He also would not act on a child's request if it would disrupt the family or bring harm to the family.

Sometimes God knows we are praying for "snakes" and does not give us what we as for, even though we persist in our prayers.

(Matthew 7: 9-11)
"Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks for bread?  Or would you give him a snake when he asks for a fish?  As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children.  How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

In light of these verse's seriousness, what hope does this give us?

The same denial would be given, if it would upset a plan for  the world around us, such as providing a gun to a child.  God is greater then our hearts.

(Job 23: 10-14)
"Yet God knows every step I take; if he tests me he will find me pure.  I follow faithfully, the road he chooses, and never wander to either side.  I always do what God commands; I follow his will, not my own desires.

'He never changes. No one can oppose him or stop him from doing what he wants to do.  He will fulfill what he has planned for me; that plan is just one of the many he has."

How does God take the initiative in finding you?

God is God of the whole world, human and non-human creatures; his children or not his children.

(2 Esdras 4:34)
Uriel answered, "Don't be in a greater hurry than God Most High!  You are thinking only of yourself, but God has to be concerned about everybody."

If God took away suffering whenever we asked we would follow him for comfort and convenience, not out of love and devotion.

(John 9:3)
Jesus answered, "His blindness has nothing to do with his sins or his parents' sins.  He is blind so that God's power might be seen at work in him."

What physical or emotional handicap (learning disability, failed relationship, chronic illness) has turned into an opportunity for God to demonstrate his power?

Another factor is when the bad things happen to us.  Since there are plans by God to control the rest of the world, we may need to suffer as part of those plans.  And there are also actions taken by other creations of God within their free will or nature (e.g. Wild Animal Attacks, Murder, etc.).  The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing and peace with God, not the end of all challenges.

(Matthew 11:28-30)
"Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.  Take my  yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.  For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light."

Is Jesus' yoke resting likely on your shoulders, or are you struggling to get out of it?  Why?  How does taking up his way lead to rest?

Just as a earthly father cannot protect his children from hurt or suffering outside his control; God cannot protect us from negative factors caused by plans other than ours.  An earthly parent will be there when ever possible to support a child emotionally, mentally, and physically when some hurt comes.  God our Father will be there to provide support to us during our difficult times.  And of course, what earth based individuals would call the worst that could happen to us (death), is really the best (Our Graduation), the pass over to our permanent home in heaven.  This will have meant that God chose us (because we were ready) to join him in heaven.   We would be "gonging home to our Father and Family."  We must always remember our ultimate objective; to bring glory to our Father in Heaven.

How will I concentrate on my attitude instead of controlling my world?

Suffering Within Living

The world asks, "How can I get more?"  Christianity asks, "What can I do without?"  The world asks, "How can I find myself?"  Christianity asks. "How can I lose myself?"  The world asks, "How can I love myself better?"  Christianity asks, "How can I love God more?"

Girolamo Savonarola's The Simplicity of  the Christian Life is actually a discussion of the nature of the good life.  He is seeking to answer the question, "What makes people happy?"  of all created beings, writes Savonarola, only humans have to struggle to discover their proper role in the whole scheme of things.  We are the only ones who seek for meaning, purpose, happiness.  The peaceful happy life, says Savonarola, is not found primarily in sensual pursuits; nor in intellectual pursuits; nor even in spiritual pursuits, as normally understood.   No the happy life is rooted in being obedient children of God the Father and discovered in imitating the life and teaching of Jesus.  The main means through which this simple life of the Imitatio Christi occurs is love of our Father in Heaven.

Kierkegaard's Purity of Heart is to will One Thing relentlessly forces us to come, naked and alone, before God, where we must decide how to live.  In reality, this course is an extended commentary on words of the Apostle James, "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind" (James 4:8).

His point is a simple one.  God is the only whole, satisfying, unifying reality in the universe.  No desire can be fully satisfied when it is outside of God, and the individual becomes "not merely double-minded but thousand-minded, and at variance with himself."

Peacefulness and fullness of heart, then, is found in willing only the good, which is God.  To do so unifies and simplifies everything.  Utter abandonment, absolute commitment to the good, to God, is the requirement for willing one thing, for purity of heart.

"There have been times in my life when suffering was so paramount and inner peace seemed so far away that I have wondered if I would ever find it again...on hindsight I have gradually discovered... that it was in these very times of personal pain that God was in fact calling me to deepen my faith  and trust in him" (Buckley, Let Peace Disturb You, p. 28).

When we feel life closing in around us, the darkness descending, or when it seems a hopeless task to change our own circumstances or the situation of those for whom we feel a responsibility, can there really be a way forward?  Or should we 'cut and run' if we're not made of the stuff of martyrs?  When the pressure is really on, Christians often do not feel capable of responding decisively and objectively, let alone able to discern "the truth" of the matter or hand it over into God's care.  Too often we are victims rather than victors in our experiences of stress.  How does this happen?  And why?

1.  Understanding stress in Christian living.

There is much talk about stress these days.  Unfortunately, the idea that stress is mainly the result of inadequate coping and inappropriate perception of the world is all too common.  Conflict resolution and stress management courses have sometimes contributed to this interpretation by their emphasis on the individual person under pressure, at the expense of a better understanding of the work or family environments, and the social context in which the stress is experienced.

Hans Selye, one of the earliest researchers on human stress, distinguished between the positive or pleasant manifestations of stress (eustress), and the negative or unpleasant manifestations (distress).  he concluded that eustress causes us much less damage emotionally and physically than distress; in the final analysis it is 'how you take' a given stressor which determines whether you can successfully adapt to pressure and change.  We might recall the many reasons the Apostle Paul had for suffering distress - 'insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities' and yet he had inner resources that enabled him to rise above these: 'when I am weak, then I am strong... I will most gladly spend and be spent for your soul' (2 Corinthians 12:10, 15).  A most daunting model of an ongoing powerful living, in the face of a negative work and social environment!

Finally, it is worth noting the related terms of burnout and depression.  'Burnout' relates to 'fuel depletion.'  When a Christian suffers burnout, major emotional exhaustion and demoralization, it implies that there was an earlier stage of being 'on fire.'  Burnout is a malady of the zealous, not the lukewarm, and it is characterized by the expending of great emotional energy, with little 'fuel replenishment' in return.  'Depression', on the other hand, relates to intra-psychic factors.  Psychologist Dorothy Rowe says that depression is a prison that we build for ourselves - principally by holding certain key misperceptions about ourselves.

2.  Recognizing our humanity.

If the Christian ceases to acknowledge his own humanity, then in time he will cease being a Christian.

The good news of God's continuing, renewing action in the world comes frustrating gift-wrapped in the bad news about humanity.  There is ample evidence in the Scriptures of vital living flowing out of a deep personal sense of limitations, and of personal out of a deep personal sense of limitations, and of personal failure.  The Bible is devastatingly frank in its assertion that even the heroes of the faith had, like us, feet of clay.

The person whose life is poured out in 'reckless living' has either come  to think that he or she is 'god' and above human frailty, accepting responsibilities and personal attributes as being true about him or herself that rightly belong to God and to God alone; or the person has settled for a frenetic living that in part is a mask for an unconscious sense of personal human frailty, projecting personal weaknesses on to others, and then relentlessly trying to remedy those projections.  As Beha puts it so graphically, writing of the energies thus expended in concealing personal pain.

"By camouflaging them with excuses, blaming circumstances or projecting responsibility onto others, we bury the nuclear wastes of our past and hope that there are no damaging leaks into the present.  But there always are." (M. Beha, 'By his wounds.." Review for Religious, 43.2).

One key to avoiding, or being delivered from, the snare of 'reckless living' is for the Christian to accept his or her humanity, and to come to terms with human limitations and weakness.  The Apostle Paul's insight that the Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26) carries with it the conviction that the recognition of humanity is paralleled, for the Christian, by the active presence of the spirit.  Spirituality is diminished to the degree to which the Christian ignores his or her own ordinary needs and incapacities. 

The richness and power of living is only experienced in the pain of it.  It is more stressful to deny or avoid human frailty than it is to accept it and experience grace in it.

An essential starting point for dealing with human frailty is self-awareness.  The Christian must in him or herself be a model in the Christian community of self-0discovery and self-acceptance.

One way of engaging in this process of self-awareness is to reflect on the 'Ideal Self', the 'Presented Self' and the 'Self as Experienced by others' as summarized in the points below.

IDEAL SELF

PRESENTED SELF

SELF AS EXPERIENCED BY OTHERS

The closer these three areas overlap, the more in touch the individual is with his or her humanity.  Christians don't easily accept who they are, or the kind of person they sense they are, or the kind of person  they sense they are deep down.  If responses in the three areas are quite disparate, then this constitutes a signal that the individual needs to do some intentional, hard thinking about this area.

Individual and trainer reflection

1. Take 30-45 minutes to consider prayerfully your own current responses to the 'three selves' listed above.  Honesty and discernment are necessary ingredients, as is a deep desire, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, to bring the three into greater congruence.
2. One suggestion for stimulating self-awareness in the company of your trainer is to do the following exercise with that person:

WHO AM I?

a.  With a folded sheet of paper, so that each set of written responses will not be seen by you, and respond verbally to the question that is asked three times by the trainer: 'Who are You?'  The trainer records your responses, and returns the paper to you.

b.  Then you are invited to share with your trainer your new learnings about yourself.

c.  Share prayer together, rejoicing in new positive understandings, and being sensitive to difficult discoveries.

Jesus said no to his human desires in order to obey his Father and glorify him.  Although we will never have to face such a difficult and awesome task, we are still called to obedience, doing his will and giving him glory.

(John 12:27-28)
"Now my heart is troubled - and what shall I say?  Shall I say, 'Father, do not let this hour come upon me?'  But that is why I came - so that I might go through this hour of suffering.  Father, bring glory to your  name!"

Where is Jesus calling you to die so that you might live?  What do you tend to hold on to rather than following Jesus's leadership?

As we have covered when we do not follow the "Training Rules" God has set down for us; we hurt him (otherwise known as "Sins").  We hurt him, because we loose "Glory" as Children of God.  As any Father; God does not like to see his children hurt themselves or others.  So we need  to set our wrongful actions right; by admitting our wrongful act, asking forgiveness for that act and committing to correct any future actions on our part.  When we do this, we have taken steps to correct the wrongful act.  But since God already knew that this was going to happen, he arranged for his Son to make up for the wrong we did and the hurt we caused our Father through his suffering and death.  This frees us from being responsible to make up for the hurt we caused God.  This is much the same as if a Child hurts his father, through his action.  The Child tries to correct it, by admitting the act, asking forgiveness, promising that he will not do it again and paying some penalty.  Christ paid the penalty for us, if we take care of the other three areas.

God comforts us so masterfully in five ways:  (1) He gives us courage; (2) He gives us a sense of calm; (3) he gives us companionship with him; (4) He gives us compassion; and (5) He gives us a new set of commitments (e.g. attitude, etc.).

Bad Times with God  are Better Than Good Times Without God

Suffering is lonely, and it brings the sufferer into a new relationship with himself.  Suffering purges everything that is not central to life (ambitions, love of money, vanity about appearance; etc.).  Suffering teaches us the absolute limit to our abilities.  In losing ambitions, innocence, and competence to save themselves, sufferers may come to know their own inner core.

Suffering produced perseverance which in turn produced character (Rom. 5:3-4).  Even Jesus learned obedience through suffering (Heb. 5:8).

Someone who has "suffered in his body is done with sin," Peter wrote, and "as a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God" (1 Peter 4:1-2).

Do not try to control the uncontrollable.  Control what you can; your attitude.  Remember this is all to train you to change that attitude in order to turn all of this over to him and release yourself so you can go to heaven.  And if you do; he promised not to save you from the challenge, but provide perfect peace.

God's Love in Living

The bottom line in dealing with suffering and 'bad things' is God's love is everywhere and available for everyone who accepts it.  He shows His presence through peoples smiles and the bird flying through the air.  He likes to show His love and to talk to us softly.  We know God is real, in what we feel in our heart and by the way He acts in our lives.

"We feel honestly the pull of many obligations and try to fulfill them all.  And we are unhappy, uneasy, strained, oppressed, and fearful we shall be shallow... We have hints that there is a way of life vastly richer and deeper than all this hurried existence, a life of unhurried serenity and peace and power." (Thomas kelly's - Testament of Devotion).

When we live as a Child of God the Father,  thoughts and decisions flow from the Holy spirit.  All relevant data are considered to be sure, but decisions stem from a source deeper than facts and figures.  Once we have understood the mind of the Father, we can speak our Yes or No with confidence.

It is one thing for God to come into us (and a very necessary thing), but it is quite another for us to come into God.  In the first instance we are still the center of attention; in the second God is the focal point.  When God comes into us we still have a certain autonomy; when we come into God we have come IN.  He is in all and through all and above all.  One God from whom all life is sustained.

The focus of Christianity becomes more clear when we change the image flow from God coming into us to our coming into God.  "Christ in you" was certainly an important theme in Paul's teaching, but his favorite and most frequent image was of us "in Christ."  In the latter case, Christ has become the reference point and we are making the movement into him.  When we are in Christ, truly in Christ, our  deeds and words are what He guides us to.

But we fool ourselves if we think that such a way of living is automatic or easy.  We must desire it and seek it out.  We must order our lives in particular ways.

At first you will find the effort difficult and your success will be low.  That is all right; you are developing new spiritual muscles.  With practice, the way of life will become more and more ingrained.

Our training is no grim duty.  It is a delightful privilege.  We are engaged in a joyous adventure, not a dull, boring task.  God is no killer of happiness.  IN this training experience we are coming alive to God.  Every person, every tree, every flower, every color is alive with God for those who know his way of life.

And most wonderful of all is what happens inside us.  To our astonishment we find that we are walking with God.  His thoughts are becoming our thoughts, his desires our desires.  Increasingly old ugly thoughts melt away and our minds become pure as a mountain stream.  Proof upon proof begins to pile up that God is at work in our daily lives, until we become certain of God, not from books or preachers, but from experience.  The old strain and indecision are replaced by a greater ease and confidence.

We begin to live in guidance.  Inward promptings give direction to our decisions.  Thomas Kelly witnessed, "Life from the Center is a life of unhurried peace and power.  It is simple.  It is serene.  It is amazing.  It is triumphant.  It is radiant.  It takes no  time, but it occupies all our time.  And it makes our life programs new and overcoming."

One of the most profound effects of inward peace is the rise of an amazing spirit of contentment.  Gone is the need to strain and pull to get ahead.  In rushes a glorious indifference to position, status, or possession.  Living out of this wonderful childhood way of life causes all other concerns to fade into insignificance.  So utterly immersed was St. Paul in this reality that from a Roman prison he could write "I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content" (Phil. 4:11).  to be put down or to be praised was a matter of indifference to him.  Plenty and hunger, abundance and want were immaterial to this little Jew with the God centered soul.  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," he said, and so he lived (Phil. 4:13).

How cleverly Paul turned the tables on all those who taught that "godliness with contentment" (1 Tim. 6: 5, 6).  he saw that the problem with material gain is its inability to bring contentment.  John D. Rockfeller was once asked how much money it would take to be really satisfied.  He answered, "Just a little bit more!"  And that is precisely our problem - it always takes a little more; contentment always remains elusive.

Do you understand what a freedom this is?  To live in contentment means we can opt out of the status race and the maddening pace that is its necessary partner.  We can shout "No!" to the insanity which chants, "More, more, more!"  We can rest contented in the gracious provision of God.

More Help-Suffering-2