12-17-15 Suffering
Man does not have the ability, from a human perspective, to understand suffering. When one is going through great trials, it is not uncommon to hear affirmations of bewilderment, anxiety, or even hostility. Those responses are predictable from the nature of a man, who sees life as he knows it, spiraling out of control. They may only be changed when they are viewed from God's point of view.
If we desire to be a blessing and encouragement, we must assist in bringing a divine perspective to the situation, as opposed to the human perspective. How is that accomplished? Much of the approach is going to be dependent upon the life discipline of biblical thinking for each individual. If the pattern of their life has been to bring every thought into captivity, according to 2 Corinthians 10:5, it will be important to merely assist them in maintaining that perspective. However, as is often the case, if there has been no such preliminary preparation, that there must be the establishment of not only WHAT to do but HOW to do so.
I often think of the illustration of a tornado shelter. It should be constructed and ready long before the tornado arrives, in order for ease of building in a timely manner. However, if that shelter has not been previously constructed when the news comes that the tornado is coming, the work will require much more effort, being accomplished under such impending duress.
Even so, as you begin to think through God's perspective on suffering to one who has not had the discipline of biblical thought control, you must start where they are, not where you are. Asking questions is always the secret to discovering where another person is in their thinking. Thus, in the heat of the struggle, asking sensitive questions will help you to speak in the language of the listener...not in that of the speaker.
The questions must not be asked in rapid fire succession. Periods of silence, time for thought is essential to a person in crisis. Excellent questions, such as, "What are your thoughts about the doctor's report?", are both invasive and intense. There is consideration and thought needed to answer such a question. Give them time! Let them respond with more than one answer if they choose. Demonstrate interest, love, and support. Touch their hand, place your arm around them, helping them to sense a measure of security and stability from you.
Ask God to help you know when they are ready to hear His heart, mind, will and purpose on the matter. It is important to bridge the communicational gap between human problems and divine solutions with what I like to call a "bridge statement". The "bridge" will touch human crisis on the one end, and divine solution at the opposite end, separated in the middle with "BUT GOD". As a biblical thinker, yourself, it will be constructed upon the support of God's Word. For example:
1. " I know you were hoping to see your grandchildren, BUT GOD tells us His thoughts
and ways are higher than ours - and His are perfect..." (based on Isaiah 55:9 and
Psalm 31:15).
Thereafter, you can begin to discuss biblical truth with them as God leads.There are a great number of passages that give strength and courage in times of trial. I will list a few:
Matthew 11: 28 Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you
rest.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on the
because he trusteth in thee.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you saith the Lord; thoughts
of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end.
Psalm 18:30a As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried...
Romans 8:28-29a And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose, for whom he
did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of
his son…
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said to me my grace is sufficient for the for my strength is made
perfect in weakness's most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I
will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the
right hand of my righteousness.
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and
my portion forever.
Psalm 119:92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in
mine affliction
.......to be continued
(c) 1992, 2015 N. A. Collins Limited copy permission for one personal file copy
If we desire to be a blessing and encouragement, we must assist in bringing a divine perspective to the situation, as opposed to the human perspective. How is that accomplished? Much of the approach is going to be dependent upon the life discipline of biblical thinking for each individual. If the pattern of their life has been to bring every thought into captivity, according to 2 Corinthians 10:5, it will be important to merely assist them in maintaining that perspective. However, as is often the case, if there has been no such preliminary preparation, that there must be the establishment of not only WHAT to do but HOW to do so.
I often think of the illustration of a tornado shelter. It should be constructed and ready long before the tornado arrives, in order for ease of building in a timely manner. However, if that shelter has not been previously constructed when the news comes that the tornado is coming, the work will require much more effort, being accomplished under such impending duress.
Even so, as you begin to think through God's perspective on suffering to one who has not had the discipline of biblical thought control, you must start where they are, not where you are. Asking questions is always the secret to discovering where another person is in their thinking. Thus, in the heat of the struggle, asking sensitive questions will help you to speak in the language of the listener...not in that of the speaker.
The questions must not be asked in rapid fire succession. Periods of silence, time for thought is essential to a person in crisis. Excellent questions, such as, "What are your thoughts about the doctor's report?", are both invasive and intense. There is consideration and thought needed to answer such a question. Give them time! Let them respond with more than one answer if they choose. Demonstrate interest, love, and support. Touch their hand, place your arm around them, helping them to sense a measure of security and stability from you.
Ask God to help you know when they are ready to hear His heart, mind, will and purpose on the matter. It is important to bridge the communicational gap between human problems and divine solutions with what I like to call a "bridge statement". The "bridge" will touch human crisis on the one end, and divine solution at the opposite end, separated in the middle with "BUT GOD". As a biblical thinker, yourself, it will be constructed upon the support of God's Word. For example:
1. " I know you were hoping to see your grandchildren, BUT GOD tells us His thoughts
and ways are higher than ours - and His are perfect..." (based on Isaiah 55:9 and
Psalm 31:15).
Thereafter, you can begin to discuss biblical truth with them as God leads.There are a great number of passages that give strength and courage in times of trial. I will list a few:
Matthew 11: 28 Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you
rest.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on the
because he trusteth in thee.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you saith the Lord; thoughts
of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end.
Psalm 18:30a As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried...
Romans 8:28-29a And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose, for whom he
did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of
his son…
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said to me my grace is sufficient for the for my strength is made
perfect in weakness's most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I
will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the
right hand of my righteousness.
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and
my portion forever.
Psalm 119:92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in
mine affliction
.......to be continued
(c) 1992, 2015 N. A. Collins Limited copy permission for one personal file copy