Life, like the universe we live in, runs on certain basic laws.
When we know them and live accordingly, our understanding of the
world we live in deepens. Over the next few weeks we will consider
a dozen or so of life’s basic principles that can help us make
sense of the world we live in. They are in no particular order,
just a few each week as space allows.
Life, like the universe we live in, runs on certain basic laws. When we know them and live accordingly, our understanding of the world we live in deepens. Over the next few weeks we will consider a dozen or so of life’s basic principles that can help us make sense of the world we live in. They are in no particular order, just a few each week as space allows.
Principle No. 1: Life isn’t fair, and life isn’t perfect. Jesus made this very clear to his first disciples. In John 16 he said, “I can guarantee this truth: You will cry and you will feel pain, but your pain will turn to happiness. It will be like a woman experiencing the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives place to joy because she has brought a new person into the world.”
One of the greatest hindrances to living the Christian life is false expectations, the idea that there’s something magical about the Christian faith that makes everything perfect. The fact is, though, that life is not fair and life is not perfect – for anyone.
If you think being a Christian means “no more trouble,” you don’t understand Christianity. God never says there won’t be any more pain. The passage in John 16 uses the analogy of childbirth to teach us that there will be pain, but that pain is necessary to bring about future joy. As the saying goes, “no pain, no gain.”
That brings us to Principle No. 2: Almost all emotional and spiritual sickness comes from trying to avoid pain. No one can read the words of Jesus and accuse him of promising his followers a rose garden. A good example is what he told them in Mark 8:34-36: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life. For how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?”
It’s not that Jesus was opposed to enjoying life. In fact, his enemies accused him of enjoying the pleasures of life too much! Nor is he saying that we should seek pain needlessly. What he’s talking about is the need for Christians to trust and follow him daily, instead of trusting in their own reasoning, feelings and ability, to do his will even when the work is difficult and the future looks bleak.
And although we usually can’t see it, the hard times can actually help us. “We can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. These very things will give us patient endurance, and endurance creates character, and character creates confidence” (Romans 5:3-4).
We can rejoice in suffering not because we like pain or deny its tragedy, but because we know God is using life’s difficulties to build our character. The problems that we face up to will develop our perseverance, which, in turn, will strengthen our character, deepen our trust in God and give us greater confidence about the future.
You will find it much easier to thank God for your circumstances when you realize the truth of Principle No. 3: Circumstances do not create good or evil, they only reveal it. Many of us have bought into the lie that says our circumstances are responsible for the negatives in our life, but the truth is, “You are guarded by the power of God operating through your faith. This means tremendous joy to you, even though at present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident – it happens to prove your faith” (1 Peter 1:6).
God says that it isn’t “bad luck” causing the troubles we go through; nothing is happening to you by accident. Life’s difficulties are, in reality, opportunities to reveal the authenticity of your faith.
All of us face challenging circumstances every day. Are you thanking God for these opportunities to grow, or are you cursing your misfortune?
Henry Harris is lead pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church, 330 Tres Pinos Road in Hollister. If you have questions or comments, please visit the church Web site at www.rollinghillsfamily.com, e-mail pa*********@****************ly.com or call (831) 636-5353.
