Issue 36: September 09, 2018
Articles by T. Sean Sullivan
Understanding Bad Days
Introduction:
Difficult moments in life are almost inevitable. The old saying is, “Into every life a little rain must fall”. There are times in which it seems like every bad thing has us “in their crosshairs”. The biggest issue with life’s difficulties is when they “try our faith”. There are times when problems seem to compound against us and we might begin to say things like, “What have I done to deserve this?” We may even turn to God with questions as to “Why?”
We know, even for “good people”, that difficulties are part of life and so we must be able to find a valid answer to our quest—2 Peter 1:3 tells us “…His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue…” Let’s eliminate some false ideas, establish the right perspective, and also understand what we are to gain from going through some “bad days”.
Some False Concepts:
We do not suffer as punishment for sin. It is remarkable how many people think that bad things: Illnesses, or injuries, are punishment for wrong-doing. Even if it is not our main focus, when faced with difficulty many must admit a twinge of conscience that provokes us into thinking, “Maybe this is what I deserve”. This has been a common thought for a long time: In the days of Job, his friends assumed this “punishment for sin” scenario concerning his troubles. They witnessed what he was going through and assumed it was because of sin in his life: Eliphaz (Job 4:8, 9), Bildad (Job 8:6), and Zophar (Job 11:5, 6). Consider what God had to say concerning Job (Job 1:22; 2:10)—“in all this Job did not sin”. God declares that Job’s friends had not spoken correctly, saying, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has” (Job 42:7). We need to avoid such conclusions.
Sinful choices can result in illness or injury but these things are “temporal consequences” and not the punishment for the sin. The punishment for sin is separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23).
We do not suffer because God lacks the power to help. For someone to come to this conclusion they must not know God at all. God is not limited by any mortal illness: God was able to extend Hezekiah’s life (Isaiah 38:1-5). Jesus Christ worked great wonders and healings: In Mark 1:38-42 Jesus healed a leper. In Mark 5:25-34 Jesus healed a long-term illness. In John 11:39-45 Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. God created us (Acts 17:26) and His power is limitless within His will.
We do not suffer because God doesn’t care. Again, to come to this conclusion we must not know God at all. We are commanded to cast every care on God because in fact He does care for us (1 Peter 5:7). God, and our Lord Jesus, are moved with compassion over the situations we face in this life (Matthew 9:36, 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; John 11:35). God cares, but He has given us the freedom of choice, and with that freedom consequences arise. It would be immoral for God disallow negative consequences; they are part of having the ability to choose. We must understand that all choices have consequences; this is the value and risk of our choice making freedom.
Truth about Bad Days
We must understand that suffering is essentially a result of our “free will”. Humans are not creatures of instinct, or preprogrammed allegiance, we are able to reason for ourselves, and it is this freedom that is the value of the human experience
“Free will” also brings out the best in us. Free will enables us to be sincere in our emotional expressions: we can be truly compassionate, caring, and loving; and not because we “have to” but rather because we “freely choose to” (Luke 10:27). Because of free will we can express true feelings: Like “husband and wife” (Ephesians 5:25), or “parent and child” (Ephesians 6:1-4), and, certainly, servant and Creator God (Mark 12:30). However, ability to choose can result in negative consequences. We may choose carelessly: Accidents caused by self and others. We may choose ignorantly: Taking a prescription, eat a food, not knowing that you were allergic to it We may choose irrationally: acting without thinking through to the results. We may choose maliciously: seeking to harm others. We all must remember this fixed-rule: If I am allowed to choose, so is everyone else. Because everyone is free to choose for themselves, others may choose poorly and may affect you or me.
This natural world can cause suffering: Our habitat, this place called Earth is designed to be well-suited for us (Psalm 19:1-6; Ecclesiastes 1:5-7; Acts 17:24-26). Sometimes, however, we get in the way of nature. Such things as tidal waves, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes cause a lot of damage. These things perhaps remind us that this world is not the permanent home of our soul (Hebrews 11:13-16). There is a better land prepared (John 14:1-6); a place in the presence of God (Revelation 21:22-27).
Our mortality causes suffering: Our bodies are not designed to function forever. It is God's design that mortal life is temporary (Gen. 3:19; Ps. 139:14; Heb. 9:27). Wise Solomon said, “There is a time to be born and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:20). If we are blessed with a “long life” we will face the transition of aging (Eccl. 12:1-6). When our bodies are no longer fit to house us, our spirit will depart (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Peter spoke of death as leaving his tent behind (2 Peter 1:12-15). We are just not meant to live forever—our bodies are temporary (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
There is “A Silver Lining”
The difficulties of this life should cause us to hope for something better, because there is a much better place (Revelation 21:1-4). If we are honest with the revealed truth of God, we are not supposed to be satisfied with this world—we are to long for that better place (Hebrews 11:13-16).
While we remain in this life, trials and tribulations can “build us” or “break us”—we must choose to be built by them: We will know “hope”, if we endure (Romans 5:1-3). Our faith will be proven, if we endure (1 Peter 1:6-9). Through difficulties we learn to rely on God, just as Paul expresses in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, “…and lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Through tribulations we learn to rely on the strength of God.
