The last month has been challenging for several reasons: we brought to close a 37-year season of our lives when we packed our belongings into several PODS and drove away from Orlando. Mary Kay and I experienced many emotions as we recalled events and reminisced on relationships over the past four decades. It was like bringing a chapter to an end without really beginning the next one. I don’t think I am ready to process this yet; it’s simply too fresh to identify what I am learning.
In addition, I have not felt physically well during this same period. I had Covid and some other flu-like symptoms during this time. This upset much of what I have accepted as my normal life. I struggled sleeping, breathing, eating, digesting and I am still coughing.
What I find interesting is that many people associate good things with God and bad things with the Enemy. I often hear others say that God has blessed them with a healthy kid, great weather, abundant financial resources, nice home, great spouse, quick mind, growing relationships, safe travels, physical health…and the list goes on and on. There is a part of this that is true because we are told in James 1.17 that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
On the contrary, some followers of Christ seem to identify things they don’t like as being buffeted by the enemy. I can’t recount how many times I have been told that the Enemy was the source of a bad boss, illness, hardship, financial trouble, failed marriage, disobedience, car accident…and the list goes on and on. There is a part of this which is true because in 1 Peter 5:8-9 we are told, Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
But there is something unhealthy when we only see things are from God when they are good from our perspective and from the Enemy when they are bad from our perspective. This is where the problem seems to reside. When we assume we know what is good and what is bad for ourselves, we run the risk of assuming we are God, which is a bad move!
As I reflect on my life some of the most trying and challenging times have produced the most growth! So why would I assume those were not times where God was attempting to produce a deeper faith in my life? I think Christians are way too quick to ascribe blame or a cause to what we experience or see around us.
This is why in James 1.1-5 just before the passage I shared above, James says, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Basically, James tells us to allow God to work in our lives in any and all circumstances and not to be too quick to ascribe a cause. In fact, he concludes this passage by saying if you lack wisdom on why this is happening, simply seek God’s perspective and he will give it to you.
I am feeling much better now and wondering what else God wants to teach me.
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