3 Questions

I have a new mantra. Goes something like this, “Lord thank you for this difficult time because I know, in the end, I’ll be more like You because of it.” Isn’t it strange how the most trying of times works within us this unmatchable strength, yet when faced with the next valley of despair, heartache, loss, rejection or whatever else we never ask the important questions that help us remember the last time that got us to the top of the mountain?
My mentor Ralph, who I need to call today, drilled in my head this: When in a situation – of any sort – ask yourself 3 questions, “Why am I feeling this way, What am I going to do about it, How do I make it better?” With those 3 questions analyzed and milled over in our psyche at the very instant they happen I believe we can gain perspective.

That is what I’d like to talk about now that I’ve had a 2 month hiatus from my blog. The time is long overdue for me to write again and what better topic than the one of perspective. I’d like to use the Scriptures to aid me. Hebrews 12:6 makes this startling statement, “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.” (NASB ) Ouch – yes, ouch literally!

I’ve had a rough go at things these last three months; quite possibly this has been the worst experience of my life by far. I’m bombarded daily with harassment and daily I’m forced to listen to someone berate me as if I were an incompetent child. But the author of Hebrews tells us that each moment we have in life that may seem unbearable, that may seem so unnecessarily insufferable is a chance for education, experience and most important, the chance to become more like Christ.

A few verses before this one he makes a statement imploring believers to look at the sufferings of the innocent God-Man Jesus and though, as Paul states in Philippians, He was God, He lowered Himself to that of a human so that He may suffer alongside us as the sacrifice for our sins.  “He disciplines us for our good so that we may share His holiness.” verse 10 tells us. It goes on, “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful…” And they call the Bible archaic! The words are no more true then, than they are today.

So I ask myself in this time, with three months left before I am clear of all the trouble of this broken institution, 1. “Why am I feeling this way?” Is it because I am uncomfortable and things are not easy so I want to feel this way? 2. “What am I going to do about it?” I should say a prayer; thank God for the opportunity because I know that, “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Php 1:6) And finally, 3. “How do I make it better?” I love the Bible’s vivid imagery that brings words to life and verses 12 and 13 give us this metaphorical prose to aid us in making the Holy Spirit’s words practical, “Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.” I’m going to use this to answer question three by putting myself in situations that allow me to do good. If I walk on crooked paths or take the way of sinners – how then can I be strengthened?

Ralph is a big proponent of seeking out ways to make the world better. But he doesn’t just talk about it; he puts himself in positions to be about it. Verse 14 goes along with Ralph’s idea on life, “Pursue peace with all men…” for it is in our relationships that our pursuit of happiness is manifested. That’s the key for me. I’m going at all this alone; ready to scream so I shell up. I’m fed up with that approach so to answer questions 2 and 3, I’m going to start surrounding myself with my brothers so that I won’t go at this thing alone.