“The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the
patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed
with what we encounter.” ~~Paulo Coelho,
I viewed the movie: “God is Not Dead”. It provided an
excellent insight to the possibilities of everyday life and perspectives on how
some view their own life and the full circle of how life has an impact on others.
I have prayed and thought about a scene where a son finally visited his mother before writing this article.
He said, “look where you are at.” The scene continued and in a moment of silence, his mother, the elderly woman, replied to her son, "Sometimes the devil allows people to live a life free of trouble because he doesn't want them turning to God," I understand the concept, but then again, I feel there is a fallacy in that statement.
He said, “look where you are at.” The scene continued and in a moment of silence, his mother, the elderly woman, replied to her son, "Sometimes the devil allows people to live a life free of trouble because he doesn't want them turning to God," I understand the concept, but then again, I feel there is a fallacy in that statement.
We are lead to believe in another lie. Often we see the
outward appearances of what seems to be a troubled free life in others. Especially
it becomes noticeable, when someone appears to be successful or has a great
mask of happiness on, but underneath at night they are lonely and bitter.
The woman’s phrase
sounds interesting and shifts blame from oneself to the devil as to a free
troubled life and that “he allows it”. Yet, when does the god of this World have the
power to “allow” anything to happen. How does one define or live a trouble free
life? If one is to think that statement is true and does not look at the main
truth, can be lead to a false hope.
However, if this statement
is compared to the source of truth, as in Jesus said, “he is the truth”, then
the truth is revealed in Jesus’ following words; “I have told you these things,
so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33), Is Jesus’ statement
true: “you will have trouble?”
God allows all things to happen because humans were created
to have free will. We choose to live or die, we choose to fail or succeed, we
choose to worship or not, we choose to love or hate, we choose to sit or rise,
we choose wisely or poorly, but in these choices, God works according to His
will. It is our choices that have an everlasting ripple effect that benefits
the kingdom. Sometimes our choices are taken from us by others mistakes and poor choices, like murder, theft, r drunk driving.
Tests do not provide a “trouble free life”. They never have and
never will. Therefore, to think someone can live a “trouble free life” is
denying there are troubles. Think about the last time, when you had to take a “test”
in school or a medical stress test. Is the intent of the test to determine if
you are trouble free? During the test were you not worried about the outcome? During the test were you worried if you retained the knowledge and how much trouble did it cause you to "stress"?
Tests or trials are to awaken our inner spirit and our mind in order to
become fully aware of our potential. Tests are to measure, to instruct or provide the
ability to test whether or not we as students can learn or retain knowledge or to
understand our limitations and areas we may need to improve.
God already knows man’s heart and the intentions it
produces. God allows tests for mankind to be awaken to what he fell asleep to.
Take for instance the scene of the Bethesda Pool and the lame man of 38 year
laid there. Jesus’ tested him by asking,
“Do you want to get well?” The man replied with an excuse,” Sir,” the
invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is
stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” He
forgotten his purpose of being at the pool and given up hope.
Testing provides an awakening of our mission and purpose in
life. Sometimes to restore, maintain or increase our hope. David was always
asking God to test or to examine his heart to see if they were true to God (Ps
26:2). The word test meant to be proven by trial. There is a purpose in our testing to
help us to realize is our faith strong or wavering and to understand we can
overcome our testing through faith. The testing of our faith increases the
growth and maturity to be disciples in a dark world where the god of the ages
wants us to be disillusioned with a trouble free life.
The choices one makes can determine whether or not the test
is passed. If there is trouble then our choice was poor and if it is wise, then
there is a blessing to be reaped. To think we live in a trouble free life, to “force
an idea” that God wants us to turn to Him is manipulation of our free will.
God allows things to happen in order to help mankind to
understand He is the Creator. He blesses
us to help us to understand that if we lean upon Him and have faith, then we
too can overcome. Even though we turn to Him doesn’t mean we have a troubled
free life.
Setting healthy boundaries, sacrificing self, being humble, loving
others, and loving Him with all of our heart soul and mind can reduce a trouble
free life. How? Learning to be content in any situation you are in and learning
to WATCH and listen during the storm of testing. We can’t control nor lean on
our own understanding in trying to escape. We have to fully depend upon the
Creator because He has provided us everything to this life and for godliness (2
Peter 1:3).
Learn to discern what His will is for your life. Be content
in your testing. Testing will determine your quality of your work (1 Cor.
3:11-13). Learn to discern and be careful of what seems to be too good to be
true in movies, and in your social settings. Jesus warned us, “Do not fear what
you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you
into prison, so that you will be tested (Rev2:10),” does not
sound like a trouble free life.
Therefore, find encouragement in your trials and testing and
learn to overcome. Watch and test yourself by not comparing yourself to others
(Gal 6:4). Finally, do not accept things blindly, but to “test the spirits to
see whether they are from God” (I John 4:1). We may want a trouble free life
and I have prayed for it. I also learned that if I had a trouble free life,
that I would not have grown deeper in faith and a love for a God.
Despite my
cancer, I recognize He is my creator, Savior and all blessing come from Him. It
is the god of this world that wants me to be angry with God because of my
troubles. To feel as though you are trouble free is to be at Peace within His presence. To realize He is in control (He ALLOWS) and if we overcome our testing, then it seems we are "troubled free" because the Peace is placed within us and His presence subsides our fear.
It is by Faith (Forging Attitude in Trusting Him), you are
encouraged to understand, and no one lives a trouble free life. It is our poor choices
that sometimes lead to the trouble we have in life. No matter, God always seems
to work things out for His kingdom, and we have to have the faith in Him that
we are more than conquerors. Do not lose
heart and when you begin to find someone who can help walk you through the
journey of your testing. For it is the god of this world (Satan/devil) that tries to divide His children by
isolating them and for us to think we are alone in our testing and troubles.
Psalm 46:1 “GOD
is our REFUGE and STRENGTH, a very present HELP in TROUBLE.”
By Faith,
