Holding God responsible

“Holding God responsible for our pain is as unproductive as it is unwise.”- June Hunt

June Hunt begins Chapter 11 (“Blindsided by a God-sized Boulder: ‘Oh God, How Could You Do This?’ “) of How to Forgive by noting that the vast majority of wounded people don’t allow their bitterness to consume them.  However, many people are deeply embittered.  They harbor sustained anger toward God.  This anger is fed by the belief that God could have or should have shielded them from devastating adversity.

In subtle or overt ways, wounded people are holding God responsible.  As Ms. Hunt notes, to view God as cruel and unjust “drains our lives of hope and leads to deep despair.”  June adds that the main reason we think this way is rooted in misunderstanding the purpose of life.

Our contemporary culture is one of comfort and a sense of entitlement.  We believe happy, healthy, prosperous, and cushy lives are our birthright.  While it is not inherently wrong to live that way, the problem arises when comfort becomes the ultimate goal of our existence.  C. S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity that comfort never was meant to be our purpose:

“Comfort is one thing you cannot get by looking for it.  If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will get neither comfort or truth- only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair.”

Although researchers have discovered that “pain is the gift no one wants, pain is a vial to recovering from our wounds as well as avoiding worse ones.  If pain didn’t really hurt, we’d simply ignore its message and miss its refining effect.  In other words, pain has a higher purpose.

Suffering never is in vain.  It produces endurance, character, hope, and love (Romans 5:35).  Even the smallest step away from resentment is a step toward God’s freedom.

Today’s question: Have you ever found yourself holding God responsible for your vocation loss?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “The faith factor”

Holding God responsible

Expectant endurance

Charles Stanley continues Chapter 1 of Waiting on God with the following concise definition of waiting on the Lord:

“. . . waiting on the Lord signifies an expectant endurance that is demonstrated by a directed, purposeful, active, and courageous attitude of prayer.”

Dr. Stanley goes on to describe how expectant endurance is exhibited.  Expectant endurance is:

a.  directed– our focus is on the Father, rather than concentration on what we’re waiting for.

b.  purposeful– our delay is meaningful because we anticipate God’s perfect direction, preparation, and provision.

c.  active– we trust God is working even though we cannot perceive it.

d.  courageous– in order to take hold of God’s very best for our life, we’re willing to forego less desirable alternatives.

Dr. Stanley then concludes Chapter 1 by discussing five lessons the anointed King David learned while he waited with expectant endurance on God.   The first lesson is covered today.

1.  To accept God’s direction.  It is important to listen to the Father in order to receive His clear direction.  Dr. Stanley notes that when we need to make important decisions, our natural inclination is to consult earthly sources of guidance.  These sources are extremely limited and faulty means of assistance.  Our trust must be in Jesus as our Source of instruction and direction.  Charles concludes:

“When you cannot see  your way clear, stay where you are until God answers you and trust Him to teach you the way you should go.”

Today’s question: Which of Dr. Stanley’s descriptions of expectant endurance do you currently exhibit?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: the new Short Meditation, “Anticipation and Electroburgers”

Expectant endurance