Week 2
We have suggested that Hope with belief, includes believing the complete narrative of the Bible. Part of that narrative is that we will experience some trials and difficulty – maybe even tragedy.
Seeking comfort is not our prime goal.
C S Lewis points out that it is important that we know what to look for, and we need to start with truth:
“If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.”[1]
Or, as a friend of mine, said recently:
“When we love the Gospel and make it our focus, we will inevitably experience therapeutic benefits as well as struggles. However, if we make the therapeutic benefits the idol, we may miss the fulness of the Gospel.”
Eugene Peterson, the writer of “The Message” was once asked whether he thought that there was more, or less, suffering in contemporary society.
“… it’s arguable that the main difference today is not how much people are hurting, but how much they expect to be relieved from their hurting… The big difference today is that we have this mentality that if it’s wrong, you can fix it. You don’t have to live with any discomfort or frustration. “Make me happy. Make me feel good.”[2]
The Gospel of John quotes Jesus:
“In this world you will have tribulation and distress and suffering …” (John 16:33).
That is an immensely sobering statement. But there is more, Jesus goes on to say:
“But be courageous be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy; I have overcome the world. My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.”
So, there we have it. Life is not necessarily without troubles and difficulties, but we can face them with courage, confidence, even joy because Christ has defeated sin which robs us of joy.
Still more to come.
Blessings
Brian
[1] C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, (US: Collins, 1952), 23.
[2] Eugene H Peterson, The Business of Making Saints. Christianity Today Leadership Journal, Spring, 1997.