“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God."
― Orson F. Whitney
JOB 1-3
ACTS 7:1-19
1Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”
JOURNAL
Reading the Bible through is difficult. Getting up everyday and submitting to the discipline is always a challenge. For the past 3 years I've made it a priority and made a commitment to do it and I always fight the urge to skip it for the day. I know it's vital and I know it's necessary for my heart and soul and yet I still fight the desire to take a day off. Why is that?
I think it's because, reading and praying and opening myself up to God is an act of humility and the surrender of my will. There is a part of me and a part of every human that does not want to be humbled. It feels like it will somehow diminish me...yet the reality is that it gives me life. Thinking through it further, especially after reading the first 3 chapters of Job and reading Stephen's last speech and knowing it leads to him being stoned. Suffering is a necessary part of life. If I don't engage willingly, then when it inevitably comes... it will be much harder to endure.
There is a toxic mindset, especially in our culture, to believe that we can somehow evade suffering. I think the thought goes something like this..."If I can have enough success or get enough power or money then I can protect myself from the ultimate suffering of life." The Bible is very clear...that is impossible. Yet what is clear is that God commands us to daily surrender our will and embrace the difficulties and adversity and do it with a joyful heart. He promises that if we will willingly do this, then his spirit will accompany us in all things. He promises that he will never leave us and he will give us his spirit of power, love and discipline. But what comes first is my surrender and my willingness to follow, obey and go wherever he leads.
I think it's because, reading and praying and opening myself up to God is an act of humility and the surrender of my will. There is a part of me and a part of every human that does not want to be humbled. It feels like it will somehow diminish me...yet the reality is that it gives me life. Thinking through it further, especially after reading the first 3 chapters of Job and reading Stephen's last speech and knowing it leads to him being stoned. Suffering is a necessary part of life. If I don't engage willingly, then when it inevitably comes... it will be much harder to endure.
There is a toxic mindset, especially in our culture, to believe that we can somehow evade suffering. I think the thought goes something like this..."If I can have enough success or get enough power or money then I can protect myself from the ultimate suffering of life." The Bible is very clear...that is impossible. Yet what is clear is that God commands us to daily surrender our will and embrace the difficulties and adversity and do it with a joyful heart. He promises that if we will willingly do this, then his spirit will accompany us in all things. He promises that he will never leave us and he will give us his spirit of power, love and discipline. But what comes first is my surrender and my willingness to follow, obey and go wherever he leads.
2 TIMOTHY 4:5
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