Author: mmccullum

Becoming Real

As Lisa Harper sums up final thoughts on the book of Job, she writes, “Perusing Job’s story for more than a year now has taught me how to better rest in God’s sovereign goodness regardless of what’s going on in my little corner of the world. Job’s well-lived life has helped soften some of my sharpest edges in a spiritual Velveteen Rabbit kind of way.” (p. 155)

If you’re not familiar with Margery Williams’ classic story The Velveteen Rabbit, the significance of that reference may be lost on you, which would be a shame. Rather than summarizing it, here are several excerpts that capture its essence:  

THERE was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid. He was fat and bunchy, as a rabbit should be; his coat was spotted brown and white, he had real thread whiskers, and his ears were lined with pink sateen. On Christmas morning, when he sat wedged in the top of the Boy’s stocking, with a sprig of holly between his paws, the effect was charming…

For a long time he lived in the toy cupboard or on the nursery floor, and no one thought very much about him. He was naturally shy, and being only made of velveteen, some of the more expensive toys quite snubbed him. The mechanical toys were very superior, and looked down upon every one else; they were full of modern ideas, and pretended they were real…

The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.

“What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.

“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

As the story unfolds, the Velveteen Rabbit experiences the joy of becoming “Real” as he receives the love and affection of the Boy. His shabby fur, missing whiskers, and tattered ears become badges of honor revealing his position as the Boy’s most beloved toy. But, after comforting him through a bout with scarlet fever, the Rabbit finds himself thrown in a trash heap with all the other germ-infested toys. Devastated, he laments his situation:

He thought of those long sunlit hours in the garden–how happy they were–and a great sadness came over him….Of what use was it to be loved and lose one’s beauty and become Real if it all ended like this? And a tear, a real tear, trickled down his little shabby velvet nose and fell to the ground.

And then a strange thing happened. For where the tear had fallen a flower grew out of the ground, a mysterious flower, not at all like any that grew in the garden…. And presently the blossom opened, and out of it there stepped a fairy…

“Little Rabbit,” she said, “don’t you know who I am?”

The Rabbit looked up at her, and it seemed to him that he had seen her face before, but he couldn’t think where.

“I am the nursery magic Fairy,” she said. “I take care of all the playthings that the children have loved. When they are old and worn out and the children don’t need them any more, then I come and take them away with me and turn them into Real.”

“Wasn’t I Real before?” asked the little Rabbit.

“You were Real to the Boy,” the Fairy said, “because he loved you. Now you shall be Real to every one...And he found that he actually had hind legs! Instead of dingy velveteen he had brown fur, soft and shiny…He gave one leap and the joy of using those hind legs was so great that he went springing about the turf on them, jumping sideways and whirling round as the others did.”

There is beautiful, biblical truth woven in the fabric of that sweet story that echoes what we see in the book of Job. Suffering, hardships, and trials are the tools God uses to build our character, to give us depth, and to help us experience Him in deeper ways. They help us to become more authentic and empathetic. Job concludes the book saying, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5, NIV) Trials create a special kind of beauty and connection to God that only come through first-hand experience.

Much like the Velveteen Rabbit, Job’s story shows us that suffering is an honor and a privilege. And just as the Rabbit receives new life at the end, a similar thing happens to Job:

“The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters.”(Job 42:12-13, NIV)

Suffering may not be our favorite item in God’s toolbox, but these stories remind us that it has a purpose. We’re going to face it, but it’s our choice to let it make us “Real.” And, like the Velveteen Rabbit, one day we’ll experience the amazing reality of new life in eternity with Christ. 

Lisa Harper quotes Barbara Johnson, who says, “We are Easter people living in a Good Friday world.” So, for now “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  (James 1:2-4, NIV)

Michael Ketterer’s song “Spirit Lead Me” exemplifies the beauty of surrendering and trusting God through trials. Listen and make it your prayer today.

To read The Velveteen Rabbit in its entirety, click on this link.

Lisa Harper, Job: A Story of Unlikely Joy, Lifeway Press, 2018.

God Speaks

The football stadium’s atmosphere pulsated with excitement.  Referees blew whistles, cheerleaders chanted, and the band played the school fight song at every touchdown. It was Homecoming —the most exhausting and exhilarating week of the school year for me as the Leadership teacher. 

Standing on the track in the end zone, a group of class officers huddled around me as we waited for their Homecoming floats to be judged. Each class had poured countless hours into building scenes that would parade around the track on trucks at halftime. But first, they had to be judged so the results could be announced as they drove by.

The adults we’d recruited to evaluate the floats didn’t know the students or how much time they’d devoted to constructing them. They strolled past each one, staring for a few minutes and then marking the score sheets. A few minutes later, the results were announced over the loudspeaker and the classes awarded third and fourth place were crushed. The judges hadn’t taken the time to consider the intricate details and had given first place to the seniors, just because they were the oldest. Indignant, the younger students peppered me with questions, “Didn’t they notice that detail? Did they see how closely it resembles the real thing? Did they recognize how well we showed the theme?”

The judges had gotten an overall sense of each float, but hadn’t gone beyond that. I wonder if God ever feels a bit like those frustrated younger students. How often do we stop to recognize and appreciate the intricate details He orchestrates to sustain life for us? Sometimes we’re so consumed with what we want Him to do, we forget what He’s already doing.  We get a glimpse of how He might feel when He responds to Job’s laments. The Lord speaks, but rather than addressing Job’s specific issues, He gives him a different perspective:

“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angelsshouted for joy?’” (Job 38:1-7, NIV)

The Lord continues with a lengthy description of intricate details of His creation, revealing His power and sovereignty. Then, He gives Job a chance to speak. Humbled, he responds:

“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?  I put my hand over my mouth.
I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.” (Job 40:4-5, NIV)

While there’s nothing wrong with pouring out our laments to the Lord, we also need to step back and look at the ways He reveals Himself that we may be overlooking. We may not find direct answers to our questions, but looking beyond ourselves helps us to see God’s attentiveness to detail and His care for all of creation, including us.

One of the best things I’ve learned to do when I’m hurting or perplexed is to stop thinking about my issues and go outside. For me, being in God’s creation seems to put everything back into perspective. It reminds me of the Lord’s power and sovereignty over all things. I see His creativity and attentiveness to detail and I’m reassured that He will handle all the concerns that plague my thoughts. Focusing on the Lord by admiring what He’s created steadies me and realigns me with Him. Paul says it well in the book of Colossians as he describes Jesus:

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17, NIV)

That last line sums up God’s response to Job: He holds all things together. This is powerful reassurance to anyone enduring trials, suffering, or challenges. Whether you’re in a hard season or not, take some time in the next few days and head outside. Pause and notice the intricate details of creation all around you and be reassured that God is with you in whatever you’re enduring. Take comfort in His presence rather than demanding answers from Him.

And if you can’t get outside, enjoy His creation by scrolling back to the top and admiring the photo of Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park. Then, watch these worship videos. Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable” includes several lyrics inspired by Job 38 and “So Will I (100 Billion X)” by Hillsong United will fill you with awe as it displays creation and celebrates God’s redemptive plans for us.

A Spacious Place

Sitting in the driver’s seat as my husband backed the boat into the water, my heart pounded with apprehension. The launch ramp was short and the levee across the narrow slough was only a few feet away. The tight space to maneuver made me nervous, especially with other boats in the water nearby. I breathed a sigh of relief once I tied up at the miniscule dock to wait for my husband.

Only a few hundred yards away, a much wider channel on the Delta beckoned us, promising a day of boating in the summer sun. I had to remind myself of the fun that awaited us every time I felt dread about launching the boat.

It may seem funny that I imagined that scene as I read Elihu’s words of wisdom to Job:

“He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.” (Job 36:16 NIV)

He encourages Job that his season of hardship will draw him out of dire straits and into a broad place. It’s a surprising use of the word “wooing.” Why would he need to be wooed from distress? Wouldn’t he run from it on his own? After researching the meaning of “woo” in the original language, I discovered it’s defined as “to stimulate, seduce, move, persuade, or provoke.” Elihu’s metaphor shows that it is only by passing through the jaws of distress that we can enter the fullness of the “spacious place.” It’s not so different from labor contractions that help with delivering a baby.

Bible commentator W.F. Adene provides a deeper understanding of the contrasting metaphors depicting a life in narrow straits and one in spacious places. He explains that various influences combine to make life “narrow” for us. These things include:

Selfishness: The tendency to think about ourselves overshadows the world around us. If we’re living “chiefly for our own ends, we are shut into a small circle of personal, private interests, and, the great world being ignored, we ourselves shrink into littleness.”

Worldliness: When we’re consumed by the things of this world and overlook the eternal, we become short-sighted. Our thoughts and interests are “shut in to the domain of the visible and temporal.”

Conventionality: Our worldview narrows when we lose the courage of personal conviction and “fall back on the ideas and practices” of the world around us. 

Routine: When all goes smoothly in our lives, “the mill grinds on in a dreamy atmosphere of changeless indifference.” We grow apathetic if nothing rouses us to see beyond ourselves.

Consequently, there are times when “God delivers us from narrowness by means of affliction.” The Lord sees how hurtful and limiting narrowness is to us, so He uses difficulties to spur us onward and out of our rigid, stunted ways of thinking. Like the birthing process, the pressure of our hardships awakens us and goads us to move forward. “Then, as it cures our errors, it leads us out of its own constraints.”

Adene goes on to explain that God’s deliverance takes us to a more spacious place in three ways:

Liberty of Action: Jesus tells us in John’s gospel “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:38, NIV) Freedom of the soul comes when we look beyond ourselves. “There is a large place with great scope for work, which can only be enjoyed in unselfishness and unworldliness.”

Breadth of View: Our vision is broadened and deepened through experiencing sorrow. “Although at first it may be cramped and confined to the immediate present by the absorbing influence of pain, when deliverance comes, this is followed by a wonderful mental expansion. No one knows the depth and breadth of life who has not been through the waters of affliction.”

Largeness of Joy: Emerging from the confines of a painful season, we discover a new sense of freedom. As we grow out of stunted and limited ways of thinking, our ability to experience the deep joy of the Lord grows. Our minds become spacious places as we become more accepting of the variety of ways God works.

Seasons of suffering and hardship open our eyes and give us new perspective on ourselves, our circumstances, our relationships, and God. They teach us in ways that good times can’t.

Lisa Harper explains, “Whether the genesis of the pain and hardship you’ve had to walk through was caused through no fault of your own, like Job’s agony, was the consequence of bad, perhaps even sinful, decisions, or was the result of God’s sovereign, albeit mysterious pruning, we all have a choice in how we respond after we’ve been injured. We can choose to isolate in shame, become prickly and accusatory because of guilt, or move toward God in the tenderhearted posture of humility, trust, and repentance—the only path to healing and restoration.” (p. 116)

Perhaps God is using difficult circumstances to woo you into a more spacious place where the richness of a broader perspective awaits. Consider how He might be urging you toward freedom as you enjoy Austin French’s “Freedom Hymn.”

This post is primarily an adaptation of a sermon entitled “A Broad Place” by W.F. Adene. You can read the original outline by clicking here.

Lisa Harper, Job: A Story of Unlikely Joy, Lifeway Press 2018.

Woe and Worship

With pursed lips and red face, my son struggled to shove the shoes on his tiny feet. At each attempt, his frustration mounted. Finally, I leaned down and offered to help, but my typically good natured two-year-old glared at me and shouted, “No! I do it myself!” So, I sat back and waited. After a few more minutes of struggling with the shoes, he threw himself facedown and began kicking the floor. Finally worn out, he dissolved in tears and held out his arms to me whimpering “I wanna hold you!” Pulling him close, I suppressed a chuckle at the quick reversal in his emotions– I’d gone from being his enemy to his ally in a matter of seconds. 

If we’re being honest, the range of emotions toddlers display is a window into all of us. Although we become more adept at masking extreme feelings as we mature, we still feel their power. It didn’t take long to see myself in my son’s behavior—or to realize that it’s often how I behave with God.

Reading through the book of Job shows that this has been true of human nature throughout the ages. Job bounces between lamenting about what God has allowed and worshiping Him with awe and wonder. Case in point: in chapter 23 he says, “Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning… God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.” (Job 23:2 & 16)

But, just a few chapters later, he describes God’s might and power displayed in the skies and the seas and concludes by saying, “And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” (Job 26:14, NIV) Bible teacher Lisa Harper explains, “Job’s turnabout is proof that human emotions can be an extremely fickle tour guide, therefore, they are not to be followed blindly.” (p. 88) 

Like Job, David also vacillates between extreme emotions throughout the Psalms. Consider these laments in Psalm 62: “How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down—this leaning wall, this tottering fence?  Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.” You might be surprised to discover these complaints about his circumstances are immediately followed by praise: “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 62:3-8, NIV)

David’s words give the key ingredients for worshiping God even when hard situations throw us off kilter. They also build a framework for engaging the Lord when our hearts are weary and hope is wearing thin. Psalm 62 models how to lay our woes before God and invites us to worship Him when we’re shaken to the core. There are a few specific things it encourages us to do:

-Find Rest in Him: So often when we’re on unsteady ground we feel emotionally and spiritually depleted. Our empty tanks lead us to seek rest in things that distract us for a while, but ultimately leave us feeling unfulfilled. Maybe we anesthetize in front of a TV screen, lose ourselves in a good book, numb ourselves shopping online or scrolling through social media, or calm ourselves with a glass of wine. These things aren’t wrong, but they only soothe us temporarily. None of them will sustain us with the deep rest and reassurance our souls crave. And they won’t equip us with renewed strength or realigned perspective required to jump back into the fray. So, next time you’re feeling soul-weary, take refuge in time with the Lord first and let Him provide the deep rejuvenation you need. 

-Remain Steady on the Solid Rock: The world invites us to build our lives on a variety of foundations: wealth, power, education, social standing, and appearance, to name a few. Instead of seeing these things as gifts and tools given by God, we expect them to keep us steady and secure. And when they fail us, we’re shattered. Conversely, when we build our lives on the Lord, He provides a foundation that is steady no matter what storms blow through our lives. Remaining firmly planted on Him, we can withstand chaotic and uncertain times. When you’re feeling unsteady because something you hold dear is threatened, take heart in the Lord’s steadfast love and worship Him as the Solid Rock that truly endures.

-Find Hope in Him: Like our security, we often seek hope in worldly circumstances–the promise of a happy home, a healthy body, a robust financial portfolio, a fulfilling career, or a comfortable retirement. Sometimes we even view godly friendships and good marriages as our ultimate mainstays. But if our future hope rests in people or circumstances, then we’re treating temporary things like they’re of eternal significance. Conversely, the hope we find in the Lord sustains us through both good and bad seasons. It encompasses something far beyond anything our broken world offers. That’s a good reason to worship the Lord.

Before tragedy struck, Job had many of the worldly things we pursue for rest, security, and hope.  When he lost all of them, he knew he still had God. He was honest with the Lord about his woes but he also continued to worship Him.

The next time you’re feeling weary, unsteady, or hopeless, use David’s words in Psalm 62 to regain your confidence. Ask the Lord to help you find rest in Him. Thank Him for being your solid rock and firm foundation. Celebrate that your hope and security are grounded in Him. Even if your circumstances don’t change immediately, your perspective will.

Pat Barrett’s song “Better” reminds us the Lord is better than money, appearance, power, and approval. We may feel woeful when we lose these things, but when we focus on God’s character, we can begin to worship knowing we rest secure on His solid foundation. 

Lisa Harper, Job: A Story of Unlikely Joy, Lifeway Press, 2018.

The Gift of Empathy

Stepping into line, I clutched my son’s tiny hand and kept my head down as we inched toward his classroom door. The preschool check-in process took a while, but usually created a welcome opportunity to chat with other moms. On that day, however, just walking into the building required excruciating effort. Participating in such a “normal” activity seemed surreal when I felt so raw, exposed, and vulnerable.

Just a few days earlier, I’d sat at my dad’s bedside as he exhaled his final breath. For the two weeks prior to that I’d been consumed with trekking back and forth to see him as he’d received hospice care. I’d been so removed from regular life that it felt overwhelming just dropping off my son at school. 

I assumed most of the moms in line knew I was grieving since I’d received flowers from the class. My sagging shoulders and red-rimmed eyes hinted at my fragile state, yet not one of them acknowledged my loss. I didn’t fault them for it—most of my peers hadn’t yet experienced the death of a parent and didn’t know what to say.

After a few awkward minutes, I felt a hand rest gently on my shoulder. Looking up, a mom I barely knew pulled me in close and said, “I’m so sorry for your loss. My dad died a few years ago– I totally get what you’re going through.” She described the range of emotions she’d experienced, mirroring mine exactly. What a relief to encounter someone who understood my pain.  

In the years since then, I’ve been blessed by other compassionate people who have reached out to empathize with me through different struggles. None of them tried to fix my problems, but they all showed me compassion and understanding. They made me feel seen, heard, and loved. These kind acts beautifully illustrate Paul’s words in the New Testament:

 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

Painful experiences are fertile ground for receiving God’s comfort. They also enable us to grow in our compassion for people. When we’re going through hardships, we can find hope knowing God will use them to bless others in the future.

Once you’ve experienced true empathy, you’re able to recognize how it differs from sympathy. Empathizing with others means we identify with their pain and connect with them in it. It’s when we say, “I get it, I know how you feel.” Sympathy, however, is like saying “I feel bad for you.” Instead of being a participant in the pain, a person offering sympathy remains a passive observer feeling pity for the hardships of another. While the intentions are kind, it can make a struggling person feel emotionally isolated. If you’ve ever gone through a hard time, you probably know that receiving a person’s empathy comforts so much more than the clichéd words of sympathy.

Sometimes we encounter people in pain and we have no frame of reference to empathize with them. It’s tempting to hold back and say nothing for fear of getting it wrong. However, there are simple tools we can use to respond in caring and sensitive ways that promote connection and understanding. Here are a few I’ve learned:

-Listen to understand, not to respond. Don’t get distracted thinking about what you’ll say next– you’ll miss what the person is telling you.

-Listen for feelings, not facts. Validate their emotions and don’t judge them as bad or good. Focus on the person, not on the details of their situation.

-Be present and patient. Let the struggling person have room to share the tangle of emotions they’re feeling. Get comfortable sitting in silence too. Remember your presence will communicate your support more than any helpful suggestions you might be tempted to offer. People may forget what you say, but they remember the way you made them feel.

-Avoid sharing stories about yourself. This may seem like empathy, but it’s really turning the attention to yourself. Saying “I’ve been there” or “I feel you” is enough. If they want to know more, they’ll ask.

-Don’t offer advice, quick assurances, or comparisons that minimize what they’re going through (ie: “At least….” Or “It could be worse…”). Don’t offer the “bright side” of the situation they aren’t ready to hear.

-Remember it’s not your job to speak for God or to make conjectures about why He’s letting a hard thing happen. Don’t over-spiritualize, preach, or quote a verse attempting to make them feel better. Instead, offer to pray with and for the person.

-Circle back later and see how they’re doing. Ask if there are any specific ways you can be praying. Sometimes after the initial conversation, we check off the “reach out to my struggling friend” box and move on. Difficult seasons can last a long time and most people appreciate ongoing support (to whatever degree you have the bandwidth to offer it.)

Want to learn more about the difference between sympathy and empathy? Watch this two minute video by Dr. Brené Brown.

Singer/ songwriter Toby Mac gives us an intimate glimpse into the pain of losing his son, Truett, in his song “21 Years.” Let it remind you to look at others with empathy and to invite God to use you to comfort them.

Suffering Isn’t Punishment

We have lots of names for it: payback, karma, retribution. We use clichés like “you get what you deserve” or “you had it coming to you.” Often, we examine a person’s life to make sense of why they’re enduring hardships. And, like Job’s friends, we make faulty assumptions like this: “(1) All suffering is the result of sin. (2) God punishes each act of sin with a penalty that corresponds to the gravity of the sin. (3) Suffering is proof of personal guilt.”1

It’s clear in Scripture that God punishes evil and sin. A few notable examples are the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18 & 19 and the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 (you can read them later if you need a reminder).  

That said, any punishment we deserve for sin has already been dealt with on the cross: “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-26, NIV)

Anyone who puts faith in Jesus as Savior is no longer subject to the penalty that sinners deserve because restitution has already been made. So, if we’re not being punished, what other reasons might there be for our suffering? Here are a few:

Discipline: Sometimes hard things happen to us because we need to be disciplined. When we receive correction from God and let it refine us, we prove that we are His children and that we trust Him: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?” The passage continues, “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:7, 10b-11, NIV)

If you’re enduring hardship right now, ask the Lord to make it clear if He’s disciplining you for some reason. Invite a godly friend to give you some perspective. Maybe you need accountability on some sinful behaviors or attitudes that you’re overlooking.

Spiritual Maturity: Sometimes God allows hardships because they develop spiritual maturity in us and prove our faith is genuine. Suffering can foster character qualities we need to grow in our relationship with the Lord: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4, NIV)

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7, NIV)

Perhaps there’s a latent quality in you that God is uncovering through what you’re enduring. Or maybe there’s an aspect of your character that God is refining through your hardship.

To Display God’s Glory: As Bible teacher Lisa Harper says, sometimes our suffering is a conduit for God’s glory. When we lean into Him and trust Him, we grow closer to the Lord. We also impact others with the hope we find in Him, whether we get a favorable outcome or not.

When Jesus and His disciples encountered a man blind from birth, they asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus replied, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned…but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Later, the man shared his story with the Pharisees, saying “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:1-3, 25, NIV)

Paul also explained that suffering displays God’s glory, even while we’re experiencing it: “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.” (Philippians 1:12-14, NIV)

Are you willing to pray and ask God to show His glory through your suffering? 

To Experience God’s Power: Suffering strips away anything else we’ve relied on for strength and drives us to God. Paul explains: “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, NIV)

Have you tapped into the sufficiency of God’s grace to strengthen you through your hardships?

Encouragement for Others: Walking faithfully with God through suffering opens us to His blessings and gives hope to others enduring hardship: “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:11, NIV)

Have you considered the way your response to suffering could be like Job’s? Like him, we have the opportunity to inspire others and lead them to the God of hope.

If you’re suffering right now, let the words of “King of My Heart” by Bethel Music encourage you today.

  1. J. Mark Terry, “Job’s Friends: Models of Compassion?” quoted from Job: A Story of Unlikely Joy by Lisa Harper, Lifeway Press 2018, p. 56

Sunshine and Shadows

In one day, Job lost his ten children, numerous servants, and all the livestock he owned, obliterating his family and livelihood. Consumed by grief, he tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell to the ground to worship God saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21, NIV)

Scripture tells us, “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:22, NIV)

While Job’s grief was still fresh “Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, ‘Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!’ He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” (Job 2:7-10, NIV)

What strikes me most isn’t the tragedy of Job’s losses, but his response to them. In his grief, he worshiped the Lord and accepted the harsh turn of events. Does this surprise you like it does me? Praising God through difficult times feels foreign to us. Maybe it’s because our culture seems obsessed with comfort and ease and labels anything that’s hard or painful as bad or wrong. 

Even among Christians, there is a sense that God is good… as long as He does things the way we want. We thank Him when He answers prayers according to our desires and question Him when He implements a different plan. We’ve developed a quiet sense of entitlement, believing we have a right to certain things. We think we deserve a smooth path devoid of obstacles and are injured and indignant when God allows hardship instead. We take the good things in our lives for granted instead of seeing them as blessings. And we question whether God really is good or loving when something hard happens that disrupts what we consider “normal.” We rarely embrace that life is a balance of sunshine and shadows. Instead, we become doubtful, cynical, or self-pitying when dark clouds obscure our bright skies.

Sometimes we forget that the Lord deserves praise regardless of our circumstances. We focus on what He does or doesn’t do instead of who He is. I remember being struck by this realization many years ago when I witnessed parallel tragedies with opposite outcomes. In the span of two years, two little girls I loved faced dire situations: one was diagnosed with a brain tumor and the other almost drowned. Both spent time in the hospital ICU with grim diagnoses. One ended up losing her life; the other made a full recovery. Both came from families of faith who had prayed for miracles and trusted God to do what was best.

I don’t know why the Lord chose to heal one while allowing the other to die. It remains a mystery why one family got to resume their “normal” life, while the other was altered forever. Despite the opposite outcomes, both families accepted the pain God had allowed and grew deeper in their relationships with Him. Their trust in the Lord was inspiring and had a ripple effect on everyone who knew them, and many who didn’t.

These incidents gave me a fuller understanding of the Psalmist who says: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2, NIV ‘84) As followers of Jesus, we understand that salvation and security lie outside the realm of circumstances. Whether earthly events turn out well or not, our true hope has an eternal perspective because death cannot separate us from God. 

There is a temptation to spend so much time questioning the Lord in hard times that we miss the opportunity to trust Him and let Him comfort us.  We wrestle with doubt and ask, “Why is God letting this happen?” Meanwhile, we overlook the places where He is showing up; where He is giving us tangible answers. Being consumed by self-pity also causes us to miss the ways He wants to teach and refine us through painful times. Additionally, it means we bypass chances to show others His goodness. In God’s economy, pain shouldn’t be wasted like this.

We can’t forget that no matter what hardships we encounter in this life, God wins in the end.  The Psalmist states it so clearly: “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands… On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:3-4,6-8, NIV ‘84) Ultimate hope doesn’t come from expecting God to turn circumstances in our favor; it comes from knowing His love is better than even life itself. Trusting His hand to hold us up and remembering that He walks with us through the darkness gives us the comfort we need. Because of His presence, we can find joy in the darkness– not a happy, smiling, giddy kind of joy, but a deep, peaceful assurance that He is in control and always has been.

Beloved author and preacher Oswald Chambers wrote: “We imagine we would be all right if a big crisis arose; but the big crisis will only reveal the stuff we are made of, it will not put anything into us… Crises always reveal character.” When we put our trust in God and walk with Him daily, when we seek His face, study His word, and obey Him in humble reliance, we will see Him molding and shaping our characters little by little.  At the same time, He will be revealing His character and His goodness to us. And when trouble comes, we’ll continue to trust Him and give Him the praise He deserves.

“Yes I Will” by Vertical Worship is a song of defiant praise during hardship. Let it fill you with renewed hope today.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Discovery House Publishers, 1935, 1963, Sept. 10 entry.  

Why Studying Suffering is Good

Checking the weather app on my phone, a frown spread across my face as I packed. I was preparing for a mission trip to Mexico where I’d be outside for an entire week. Between working at the build site all day and spending the evenings back at our team’s rustic camp ground, the forecast of rain wasn’t a welcome sight. With limited space in my bag, I wondered if I should bother stuffing in a bulky parka. For a fleeting moment, I considered ignoring the weather prediction, thinking if I didn’t pack the coat, it wouldn’t rain. Realizing my flawed logic, I wedged it into my duffel.

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A few days later, I slogged through camp under stormy skies on a chilly afternoon. Intermittent rain showers made for a soggy evening, but I stayed warm and dry sheltered in my enormous coat. Turns out it was worth making room for it in my bag after all. 

Strangely enough, I thought of that parka as I brainstormed ways to introduce the next book of the Bible we’ll be studying in the coming weeks.  Job isn’t one most of us would clamor to read, but I think we’ll be glad we did. In case you need a refresher, it’s the story of a man who endures unfathomable suffering and loss. On the surface, it’s doesn’t appear to be especially uplifting subject matter.

Life is hard enough, so why would we want to wade into someone else’s tragic story? Watching a man of integrity face the challenge of losing his children, his riches, and his health is a bit of a downer, after all. Isn’t it easier to believe those kinds of things can’t happen to us? Like leaving my coat home in hopes the weather prediction would be wrong, we’d rather avoid the reality of suffering. 

Unfortunately, skirting around hardship is impossible in this life. Jesus said it plainly, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33b). Nothing exempts us from life’s hardships—not wealth, power, prestige, resources, or a good family (Job had all of them).  Studying this book will equip us with knowledge we’ll be thankful to have when our own times of suffering come.

Job’s story deals with the familiar question we all ask at some point: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” This study may not give us the clear-cut answers we crave, but it will re-frame how we approach suffering. God allows pain for good reasons, even if He doesn’t always reveal them to us. Halley’s Bible Handbook explains, “In reading through the book of Job, we must remember that Job never knew why he was suffering—nor what the final outcome would be. The first two chapters of Job explain to us why it happened and make it clear that the reason for his suffering was not punishment for sin, but rather a test of Job’s faith that God was confident Job would pass. But while we as readers of Job know this, Job himself did not.”1

Some scholars believe Job may have been the first book of the Bible to be written. It’s likely the title character lived in the time of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) or shortly thereafter. He lived in the land of Uz, which scholars believe was outside the land of Canaan, possibly along the border between Palestine and Arabia. Job may have been a descendant of Esau; some scholars think he may have been Jobab, the second king of Edom mentioned in Genesis 36:33.

The Israelites considered Job part of their wisdom literature, along with Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Apart from the introduction (chapters 1 & 2) and the conclusion (chapter 42:7-17), the book consists of speeches by Job, his friends, and God. “The book delves into issues near to the heart of every human who experiences suffering. The prologue provides a fascinating peek into the back story—why God allowed Satan to afflict Job with such pain and turmoil. Then, through a series of dialogues and monologues arranged in a pattern of threes, human wisdom attempts to explain the unexplainable, until finally God Himself speaks.

The final chapters of Job record God’s masterful defense of His majesty and unique ‘otherness’—of God’s eternal transcendence above creation—in contrast with Job’s humble and ignorant mortality. ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? / Tell Me, if you have understanding.’ (Job 38:4)”2

I hope learning from Job and understanding the role of suffering in life will equip us for the times of difficulty we’re facing now or may confront in the future. This won’t be just for our benefit, but for the good of those around us: “What a powerful witness it is to the world for Christians to not be full of anger and resentment toward God when suffering! We know that He is a God who loves us and does only what is is right.”3

I hope you’ll join me as we spend the next several weeks diving into Job: A Story of Unlikely Joy by Lisa Harper. Until then, listen to “Scars” by I Am They for a refreshing perspective on suffering.

Resources cited:

  1. Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan 2000, p.311-312 
  2. Insight.org/resources/bible/the-wisdombooks/job
  3. Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan 2000, p. 311

Forging a New Path

Rolling my bike to a stop, I surveyed the trail. Just ahead of me, a large tree had fallen across it, blocking my way forward. The thick trunk and spiny branches would have been awkward to scramble over with my bike. The best option seemed to be going around it, which meant trudging through knee-high weeds and over rocky ground to forge a new path. 

A few weeks later, the tree was still stretched across the main trail, but the long weeds I’d pushed through were now trodden down. Clearly, others had made the same choice to navigate around the obstacle in the road. Each time I took the trail in subsequent months, I noticed how the new route began replacing the old one. Matted grass gave way to bare patches of dirt, rocks were kicked aside and, over time, the rough trail was smoothed by a multitude of feet and bikes. Within months, the path around the fallen tree had become the main route. It had just taken repeated and consistent use over time.

I imagined this trail as I began thinking of my hopes for the new year: I want to build some new paths—not on dirt trails, but in my mind. I’ve been learning there is science to support this goal, it’s not just wishful thinking on my part. In her book Get Out of Your Head, Jennie Allen explains the work of Dr. Dan Siegel, a professor of clinical psychiatry. “’Where attention goes,’ he wrote, ‘neural firing flows and neural connection grows…Patterns you thought were fixed are actually things that with mental effort can indeed be changed…We are not passive in all this activity of mind and awareness.’ What we think about, our brains become. What we fixate on is neurologically who we will be.” (p.42) So, the more we think certain thoughts, the wider those paths become and the more we’re inclined to travel on them mentally.  

Allen goes on to explain, “Good things happen when we train our attention on that which is beautiful, on that which is authentic and compelling and good. What’s more, beyond the obvious emotional experience, those good things from the hand of God can point us to the One who creates beauty, who is beautiful. Cynicism puts our minds on things of this earth, and we lose hope. Beauty points our gaze toward the heavens and reminds us of hope.” (p.135)

I’m not proud to admit that many of my neural pathways take me to negative places. It requires intentional effort for me to look on the positive side, to assume the best, and to be confident there will be a favorable outcome. My default modes of thinking tend to be critical, negative, and cynical. But I hope to change that this year.

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians fuel my desire for a new web of trails in my mind: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV) I want to re-route my thoughts onto more positive paths that honor Jesus and bring life to myself and others. And when I venture back down negative roads, I want the Holy Spirit to stop me before I’ve traveled too far. That way, I’ll develop a reflex of asking for God’s help to renew my mind so I can continue establishing new routes. Paul’s words to the Romans describe the process of shifting from old and unhealthy thought patterns to new ones: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”(Romans 12:2, NIV)

This year, I’m focusing on developing mental paths that are positive and hopeful. I want to assume the best and see the good from the start rather than having to talk myself into it. This can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit and the consistency of prayer.

Maybe, like me, you’re ready to step into a new day and forge a fresh path in the year ahead. The band For King and Country has an inspiring song called “Burn the Ships” that invites us to walk away from the negative things of our pasts and start new. Singer/songwriter Luke Smallbone explains, “The analogy of burning the ships came to me: the story of the sailors not wanting to explore the new world, wanting the comforts of their boats. Their leader calls them out and says, ‘We’ve got to burn the ships. This is a new world.’”

As you listen, ask God what ships you need to burn today so you can travel down new paths He has planned for you.

Jennie Allen, Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts, Waterbrook, 2020.

Luke Smallbone quoted from: ccmmagazine.com

A Recipe for Peace in a Season of Stress

Last week a friend from Bible study shared a story I’ve been pondering ever since. She was on a walk with her close friend who is Jewish. As they were talking about the stress and busyness of the holiday season, her friend made an unsettling observation: “It seems like all of my Christian friends are so stressed in the weeks leading up to Christmas.” Being Jewish, she seemed relieved she didn’t have to participate in all the activities surrounding the celebration of Christ’s birth. The joy and peace we sing about in carols wasn’t evident among the believers she knew. Instead, she saw endless to-do lists and overwhelming obligations.

We could blame this on a lot of things in our culture—commercialism, materialism, capitalism or even the paganizing of a once holy holiday. And while these things might be partly to blame, the truth is that all of us have the tendency to float with the current of our culture if we don’t intentionally swim against it, even when we’re celebrating the birth of our Savior.

We would be wise to listen more carefully to messages in the music of the season. Handel’s Messiah, for example, is taken straight from Old Testament prophecies from Isaiah. It tells us about the coming of our Savior, Jesus. Take a look at this portion:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV)

That last name for Jesus, Prince of Peace, holds the key to moving from a chaotic Christmas season to a peaceful one. Studying a few passages, I discovered a recipe for peace laid out in Scripture and thought I’d share a few essential ingredients:

Disciplining Our Focus: Peace doesn’t happen automatically. One of my favorite verses says: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV). To be steadfast means to be resolute, committed, firm, and unwavering. We find peace when we fix our minds on God’s trustworthiness, knowing that He is good and faithful. A quick scan of my concordance revealed three different passages where we are urged “to seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14b, 2 Tim 2:22, 1 Peter 3:11). To seek and pursue something requires discipline and ongoing effort. We must relentlessly eliminate distractions of lesser things that cloud our thinking and lead us toward stress and anxiety. Reading the Bible and praying daily helps us focus on the truth we need to remain peaceful throughout the day.

Following God’s Ways: The Christmas story recorded in Luke’s gospel includes angels rejoicing over the birth of Jesus singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14, NIV) Psalm 119 helps us to understand that God’s favor rests on people who follow His ways: “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165, NIV). Although it often means moving in the opposite direction of our culture, living God’s way leads to the peace we all crave.

Relying on the Holy Spirit: We aren’t going to find peace by trying harder. We’re not going to experience it by pretending to be calm when we’re freaking out on the inside. The only way to find true peace is with God’s help. Jesus explained this to His disciples, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:26-7, NIV)

The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s truth through Scripture. We engage Him by asking for His help and letting Him show us how to apply it to our daily lives. The peace He gives isn’t based on circumstances going the way we want—that’s worldly peace. His peace goes so much deeper and encompasses so much more.

Leaning into God changes our thoughts, which changes our lives: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9, NIV)

If you’re struggling with stress and anxiety, here’s my prayer for you: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16, NIV)

Handel’s Messiah that I mentioned earlier includes 53 movements divided in three parts. It usually takes 2 ½- 3 hours to perform. I remember sitting through it at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco a few times as a fidgety child. (I liked getting dressed up and going to the city but my parents failed to mention how long the performance would last!) Below are two different portions. The first video includes the lyrics that call Jesus Prince of Peace. 

This second video includes the part I always liked best, the Hallelujah Chorus. It shows the power of letting God’s peace invade your Christmas busyness. If you’re like me, it may bring a few tears to your eyes (in a good way). Enjoy!