Lessons from UnPleasantville

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"Yes, this anguish was good for me, for you have rescued me from death and forgiven all my sins." (Isaiah 38:17, New Living Translation)

Wait ... What? This anguish was good for me?

"It's good for you," is the phrase parents once used to get their kids to eat their vegetables, to do unpleasant chores, or to take disgusting tasting medicine.

I'm not sure it gets used as much anymore; we seem to have a goal of ensuring that life is as free of unpleasantness as possible. We make medicine taste like candy, hide vegetables under a layer of cheese, and hire someone to do the chores.

Please don't see those statements as criticism. I do not intend them to be. I'm simply making an observation that we don't often think of unpleasantness, difficulty, or "anguish" as being good for us to go through.

But how much do we really learn in the middle of pleasure (except how much we like it)? How much time do we spend looking to God when things are going smoothly? How often do we say, "God is good," or, "It was a God-thing," when we are in those times of trial?

My brother-in-law used to be a ski instructor. He told people, "If you're not falling, you're not learning." I think that's true in life. The greatest learning comes in times of challenge. When we can say to God, "Thank you. It was good for me to go through this. I have learned more about trusting you," we may really be growing.

Question: What have you learned in times of unpleasantness?

Leave a comment below.  I'd love to hear your story.

Perspective for when the journey is hard

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"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while." (1 Peter 1:3-6, New Living Translation)

Are you in the middle of a difficult time right now? Are you misunderstood? Are you being unfairly criticized? Do you even have someone who is actively working against you?

Let these verses from Peter remind you that "there is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while."

Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf (1700-1760) was a wealthy German who was widely criticized for his missionary endeavors. He wrote these words:

Jesus, lead Thou on
Till our rest is won;
And although the way be cheerless,
We will follow calm and fearless
Guide us by Thy hand
To our fatherland

If the way be drear,
If the foe be near,
Let not faithless fears o'ertake us;
Let not faith and hope forsake us;
For through many a woe
To our home we go

QUESTION: What will you do today to focus on where you are headed rather than on the struggles of the journey?

Leave a comment below.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.