JANUARY 2014
For Those
WHO HURT
In this issue
11
6 3
Why God Shakes Your Spiritual Tightrope charles r. swindoll
6 Beat the Blues robyn roste
How can I turn suffering into something positive?
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11 What Can You Learn about Faith from Your Kids? dr. dave currie 14 Q & A steve johnson
8 When Trouble Comes Knocking steve johnson
Copyright Š 2014 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Insights is published by IFLC, the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NASB. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by IFLC staff. Printed in Canada.
by charles r. swindoll
I
can already tell the year 2014 will require me to have the skill of a tightrope walker to stay balanced. If you’re like me, sometimes it seems we barely keep steady on our spiritual tightrope… and then something—or someone— shakes the rope! Believe it or not, that someone shaking our rope is God. But why does He do that? There may be dozens of reasons why God will allow us to struggle this year, but I find at least three worth remembering. Each comes from the Apostle Paul’s pen. Paul began his second letter to the Corinthian believers by confessing who our divine rope-shaker is: “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). This statement is no casual sympathy card with rhyming words and a glitzy greeting. Our mighty God comforts us as we struggle! Regardless of the need, “He comforts us in all our troubles” (1:4). That draws the circle completely around your situation and mine. Our every affliction is God’s concern. He genuinely cares—and that care runs deep. But why are we afflicted? Why would He shake the rope and then comfort us at the same time? Paul offers these three reasons.
REASON 1: That We Might Be Prepared to Comfort Others Who can understand what it is like to sit alongside a loved one dying of a terminal illness? Who knows the heartache of a broken home? What about someone who understands the loss of a child…or the misery of a teenager on drugs…or the anguish of living with an alcoholic mate…or the loss of a job? Who on earth understands? I’ll tell you who—the person who has endured those trials while wrapped in the blanket of God’s comfort. Better than anybody else, you who have actually been through each stinging experience are the choicest counsellors God can use. This is one of the reasons we suffer—“so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (1:4). Look back at the chain reaction. What goes around, comes around. We suffer… God comes alongside to comfort…others suffer…we step alongside to comfort them. With God’s arm firmly around my shoulders, I have the strength and the stability to place my arm around the shoulder of another. It never fails: similar experiences create mutual understanding.
Why God Shakes Your Spiritual Tightrope continued from p. 3
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Look at Paul’s words: “In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead” (1:9). Maybe you are standing with Paul at the desperate point beyond your own strength. Hope has quietly slipped out the back door. The despair is palpable. A “quick fix” isn’t possible. Burdens push heavy on bruised inner tissue. We’re convinced that the end has come! Unbelievable as it may seem, God has a reason even in this. REASON 2: That We Might Not Trust in Ourselves Did you miss this truth, wedged in the middle of verse 9? Paul puts his finger on a second reason for our season of sorrow: that we might come to a complete end of ourselves and learn the power of total dependence. When Paul’s own strength had ebbed away, he found another strength. When he finally hit bottom, Paul learned that he was not down in the dirt but rather in the palm of God’s hand. He could sink no lower because he was cradled in those everlasting arms. Perhaps I am writing to a stubborn, suffering saint who is wrestling with God over an ongoing affliction. You have not yet laid down your arms and decided to trust in Him completely. Can’t you see, my friend, that God is shaking your rope for a reason? It’s His way of teaching you the all-important lesson of submission to Him—total dependence on His infinite wisdom and unbounded love. He will not stop the shaking until you stop resisting; believe me. Who knows better than God that case-hardened independence within you? How much longer are you going to fight God?
Suffering reveals our creature status. We are neither all-wise nor infinite in strength. But God is both. And we need Him—we were created to need Him. Desperately. REASON 3: That We Might Learn to Give Thanks in Everything You’ll never be able to understand this third reason until you’ve grappled with the first two. Notice how Paul phrases this to his Corinthian friends in verse 11: And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety. Look at it this way: Paul wrote them a thank-you note. He considered his suffering an opportunity to share his life with others. Paul felt drawn to the Corinthians with cords tied to the innermost being. As they mutually joined in and helped him through their prayers, many people gave God thanks…including Paul, himself. God is interested in using us as living object lessons to others. That is precisely why He urges us to present ourselves as living sacrifices. What might happen in your life if you stopped fighting God and started to praise Him for your pain? Tell Him that you want to be His living object lesson of patience and stability to others…and don’t forget to thank Him for the winds of affliction that have blown across your life. Yes, it’s God who is allowing your tightrope to shake. But it’s also God who spreads the safety net. Our struggling is not the cause of our falling… but of God raising us higher. ▪
Photograph of Chuck Swindoll © 2012 by Luke Edmonson
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by robyn roste
S
omething I will never get used to is the lack of light in winter. For stretches of weeks I go to work in the dark and come home…in the dark. If I didn't know better, I'd question the sun's existence. Day after day of darkness leads to the winter blues, where everything feels “blah” and seems like it will last forever. However, I’m learning there are ways to combat the blues. Simple ways like exercise, diet change, and sunlight sim-
ulators. These all can ease the effects of lack of daylight. I’ve implemented these changes to varying degrees of success and I’m thankful for the relief they bring. In fact since my office has no windows I’ve changed all the lights to the special sun-simulators and have noticed a dramatic change in my ability to focus and lack of headaches—especially in the wintertime. But what about spiritual dark days; is there a light simulator for those?
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While the solution isn’t something you can buy from a store here are a couple ways I’ve found to combat the spiritual blues. First, believe this truth: Just because I can't feel God doesn't mean He isn't there. But don’t take it from me, here’s what the Apostle Paul has to say about it. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making our prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. (Romans 8:26 The Message)
“One promise I hold on to when my spiritual days seem ‘blah’ is God's promise to never leave or forsake me.” Second, remember and believe God will do what He says. One promise I hold on to when my spiritual days seem “blah” is God's promise to never leave or forsake me. Moses told this to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31 and the same promise is repeated in Joshua 1, 1 Kings 8, and Hebrews 13. For me, it helps to read these promises again and again until I start to believe God really is still with me. These are simple concepts but it’s amazing the power our minds have over our feelings. If we keep telling ourselves the truth eventually we’ll believe it too. And once we believe the truth then God’s silence won’t seem so permanent. A couple years ago I wrote out an acronym as a way to help me stay focused on
Christ when going through hard times. I drew four keys from Hebrews 12:1-3 called HOPE.
H
OW DID JESUS RUN THE RACE? Not only did He take our physical form to give us the gift of salvation, but He also ran our same race to perfection. Study, observe, learn, imitate.
O
BSTACLES ARE INEVITABLE. Many think hard times are only for unbelievers but we all live in a sinful world filled with suffering. If we expect to encounter pain at some point, then we won't be so shocked when we do.
P
REPARE. Finishing a race takes purpose and discipline. The essential disciplines Jesus demonstrated help us prepare for what we'll face as we run toward our heavenly reward.
E
NDURE. When we reach the point of wanting to quit, it’s time to let God be our strength. He will give us what we need the moment we need it to help keep our eyes on where we're headed, “that exhilarating finish in and with God.” Although it feels like I’m in the shadows I hold on to the hope that there would be no shadows if there were no light casting them. Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness,” (John 12:46 NIV). Focusing my mind and heart on what matters is the best way I know to combat the blues, whatever form they take. ▪ Robyn Roste is the Living Bridge Media manager at Insight for Living Canada.
When Trouble
COMES KNOCKING by steve johnson
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A FISHERMAN ARRIVED AT HIS PIER ONE NIGHT ONLY TO BE MET BY HIS SOBBING WIFE. ur home has been burned in a fire! We could save nothing!” Hearing the news he burst out laughing. Most of us are probably thinking his response was inappropriate. We expect a reaction of tears or at least sorrow. But let me finish the story. While out fishing the man was caught in a fierce storm. Although it seemed certain the sea would overwhelm him, the vessel stayed afloat. In the midst of the storm he could see a light and managed to steer toward it and make it back to safety. Upon hearing his wife’s news the man said, “I was lost and had given up on my life when I saw what looked like a dim light. I made for that light and was saved. Now I know the light was our flaming house.” When we have a different perspective on our trouble we can respond to it differently. By seeing our problems from God’s viewpoint, we gain the perspective to face trouble His way. From 1 Peter 4:12-19 we see three ways to respond when trouble knocks on the door of our life. First, respond with realism. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though
something strange were happening to you” (v. 12). Some people believe because they are Christians nothing adverse will happen to them. But according this verse just the opposite is true. Why is that? For one thing our home is in heaven. We’re resident aliens and pilgrims here travelling through hostile territory. We shouldn’t have an expectation of easy living. Another thing is although we’re believers, we’re also finite creatures with a sin nature, living in a fallen world. So it shouldn’t be a surprise when trouble strikes. However, just because hard times come it doesn’t mean God has forgotten us or doesn’t love us. He is too good to do us wrong. Peter uses the phrase “fiery ordeal.” It’s from a word referring to a furnace where gold is refined. In other words, our troubles are a smelting furnace where God is turning them into triumphs by refining our character to be more like His own. Thinking about trouble this way is being realistic. Second, once we understand realism we can then respond with rejoicing. Wait, rejoice in suffering? That doesn’t seem realistic! I can see where I shouldn’t be surprised at trouble, but to rejoice in it? While we may not be happy about our troubles Peter tells us we can express joy about them for several reasons. • Faithfulness in the midst of suffering will result in additional reward in heaven (v. 13) • When we hurt because we are Christians it indicates God’s Spirit is with us (vs. 14-16)
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"By seeing our problems from God’s viewpoint, we gain the perspective to face trouble HIS WAY.”
Third, when trouble comes knocking respond with recommitment. “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (v. 19). We are to commit ourselves to God our Creator. This is the only place in the New
Testament where the word “creator” is used of God. In the context of trouble it reminds us of His love and power. He can bring the same power that created with a word to bear on our situation. Knowing this, we are to commit ourselves to Him. We are to entrust ourselves to His care in much the same way we do when we deposit money in our bank entrusting them to keep it safe. God has not promised to keep us from trouble but He does promise to keep us in trouble. We are also to commit ourselves to doing good in spite of our trouble. While we cannot often change the troubles we face, we can change our response to them. Continuing to do good in hard times isn’t easy, but we can cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Sooner or later trouble will come to all of us. By viewing it from God’s perspective we can respond with realism, rejoicing, and recommitment. When trouble comes knocking we can answer it God’s way. ▪ Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.
ON THE AIR IN FEBRUARY
New Testament Postcards Unlike the postcards in a tourist shop, the postcards of the New Testament depict true-to-life scenes of what it was like to be a first-century Christian. These messages are so timeless they might as well have been sent from the first-century church to the 21stcentury church. Check your mail and grab your Bible, these postcards shouldn’t be ignored.
UPCOMING MESSAGES INCLUDE: A Postcard of Candid Truth The Acts of the Apostates Why Bother to Battle Get Your Act Together!
hall
• God, in love, is exercising discipline on us as His children to correct and purify us (vs. 17-18). As someone once said, “Some people just can’t bend until some misfortune has taken the starch out of them.” Even with that, God’s discipline is nowhere near as bad as the judgment that will come on those who have rejected Christ (v. 18).
© shutterstock.com / Zastolskiy Victor
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What Can You Learn about Faith
FROM YOUR KIDS? by dr. dave currie
[Jesus] said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.� Matthew 18:3 NIV
What does “become like little children” mean? How are we to come to Jesus as a child? Six faith lessons come to mind about what children can teach us about childlike faith. CHILDREN TRUST COMPLETELY.
The greater the love they sense, the greater the trust they show. The heart of childlike faith is a deep sense of trust. I loved the way my kids would jump into my arms. At first, I couldn’t be far from them and they would lean forward reaching out to me in their meagre attempt to jump. But the longer they experienced they could trust me the more they would fully rely on me. FAITH LESSON #1 Trust God freely and fully. Jump into His arms.
CHILDREN ARE DRAWN TO LOVE.
Every little one loves to be touched, hugged, and affirmed. They love to sit on your lap. They feel safe in your arms. Jesus knew children needed love and that’s why they sought to get close to Him in His day. You know the story how Jesus “lost it” on His disciples when they tried to keep little children from getting to Him. People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the
disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them” (Mark 10:13-16) FAITH LESSON #2 Get close, really lean into your Heavenly Father. God wants to bless you and encourage you as His child. He wants you to call Him Abba, Father— literally “Daddy” (Romans 8:15).
CHILDREN ARE AUTHENTIC.
By nature children are open, simple, and straightforward. They haven’t developed the cunning and illusive defence mechanism of denial, which older people practice. You see by their conduct what their real character is. It takes a while before a little one becomes an accomplished deceiver. Proverbs 20:11 says, “Even small
What Can You Learn About Faith From Your Kids? continued from p. 11
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children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?” In the same way you can see through the charade of little children, God sees right through you and me. “...People look at the outward appearance but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). FAITH LESSON #3 Be honest with God in a childlike innocence.
CHILDREN ARE COPYCATS.
We hear the phrase, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” This is because children become like their parents. Just as impressionable children imitate their parents, we are to copy Christ’s pattern of living in all we do. That’s the point Paul was getting at in Ephesians 5:1-2, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” FAITH LESSON #4 Copy our Lord in everything.
CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH DISCIPLINE.
We have our family guidelines, boundaries, and limits because we love our kids. These corrective measures are designed to bring the best out of them. During times of giving out discipline to one of our kids, both my wife Donalyn and I would always reassure them with this truth: “There is nothing you will ever do to make me quit loving you.” We wanted them to feel secure in our love. God, as
our Father, is just the same. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:39). And He too is more concerned about our character than our comfort. He wants us to become Christlike—conformed to His Son’s image (Romans 8:29). He wants us to trust Him during adversity and through correction. FAITH LESSON #5 Submit to God’s discipline.
WHAT CHILDREN LEARN EARLY TAKES ROOT AND LASTS LONG.
Child psychologists maintain that 80 per cent of who a child turns out to be is determined by age five. The best parenting plan lays down a great foundation for life in the early years. We are wise to spend a lot of time with our children, teaching, guiding, training, and coaching them on all things truly valuable. That’s why Solomon in his wisdom said, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 NASB).
FAITH LESSON #6 Learn everything possible about Jesus and it will take deep root in your heart and endure the test of time.
Wise is the parent who has a childlike faith and lives and breathes love for God in an authentic and lasting way. Humble yourself and learn to grow your faith in this new childlike way. I’d love to hear how your children are stretching your faith. ▪ Dr. Dave Currie is the president of Doing Family Right.
by steve johnson
How can I turn suffering into something positive? Often we can’t control difficult circumstances but there are ways to change our perspective and responses, which can help transform suffering into something positive. Here are some perspectives to help transform suffering. Everyone suffers. When trouble strikes many ask “Why me?” But it’s not “why me?” Hard times are part of living in a fallen world. The Bible says Adam brought death and suffering into the world when he disobeyed God. Sickness, accidents, and death are experiences we all face. In that sense we cannot take it personally when we suffer. That’s why Job said, “Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7 NIV). Both right and wrong choices may result in suffering. Jesus was sinless and made no wrong choices but yet was “a man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3). In choosing to do God’s will
and follow Christ we can expect to experience suffering just as Jesus did. He said “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). The Apostle Peter also wrote to suffering Christians “…do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). When we make wrong choices we will experience suffering as a natural consequence. The book of Proverbs is full of warnings against wrong choices resulting in suffering as a consequence (For example see Proverbs 6). Suffering is personal. In fact suffering is unique to each of us. As believers we know our wise and loving God allows and directs suffering to accomplish His plans and purposes in our lives. He uses suffering to refine our personal character to be more like Christ. Here are some responses to help transform suffering.
LEMONS © istock.com / Snappy_girl
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Don’t compare. Knowing our sufferings are unique means we cannot compare them to what others have experienced. Doing so only leads to arrogance or despair. Knowing they are all in the hand of our good God helps us to respond to suffering with joy and thankfulness (James 1:2-4; Ephesians 5:20). Claim God’s promises. God has promises for when we are suffering. These promises encourage and help us to persevere (See 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Hebrews 12:11; 1 Peter 5:9-10). In particular He promises more fruit (John 15:2), righteousness (Hebrews 12:1), hope (Romans 5:34), and purer faith (1 Peter 1:6-7). For the next life He promises a reward, “an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Read Scripture by those who have suffered. For centuries believers have identified with Job and his sufferings, the psalmist David and his ordeals, and the Apostle Paul and his afflictions. Their responses to difficulties can give voice to our own heart’s cry for help and aspirations to persevere when we are muted by trials. Find help from fellow believers. Other Christians can offer us encouragement.
We can glean assistance and strength from those who were victorious over their hardships. We can be comforted with the comfort they received from the Lord when they went through their time of suffering (2 Corinthians 1:3-6). Look to Jesus for grace to help. This is the most essential. “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3). Remember He is praying for us (Hebrews 7:25). He knows and empathizes with our situation and offers mercy and grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). To those who humbly seek Him the Lord offers His abiding presence and the desire and power to respond in a way, which transforms suffering into something positive (2 Corinthians 12:9). By God’s grace weakness, defeat, sorrow, fear, and loss are transformed into strength, victory, joy, courage, and gain. I hope this helps. - Steve
Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.
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