JULY 12, 2018

“What makes life difficult is that the process of confronting and solving problems is a painful one. Problems, depending upon their nature, evoke in us frustration or grief or sadness or loneliness or guilt or regret or anger or fear or anxiety or anguish or despair. These are uncomfortable feelings, often very uncomfortable, often as painful as any kind of physical pain, sometimes equaling the very worst kind of physical pain. Indeed, it is because of the pain that events or conflicts engender in us all that we call them problems. And since life poses an endless series of problems, life is always difficult and is full of pain as well as joy."
― Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled

PSALM 7-9

9The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,

a stronghold in times of trouble.

10Those who know your name trust in you,

for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.(9:9-10)

ACTS 17:1-15

1When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.

5But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. 

JOURNAL 

 The Road Less Traveled has some really great truths. I have forgotten how many correspond to the idea that pushing through pain and problems with integrity is the key to living a life of joy.  His premises for living a great life are 1) Delay of Gratification, 2)Acceptance of Responsibility 3)Dedication to Truth 4) Balancing.  

When I consider all of these juxtaposed to scripture...I realize that they align perfectly. The Gospel is entirely about getting us to accept life as it exists, with all its problems and difficulties and to trust God to confront and tackle the problems that rise up every single day. In doing that we live a life that seeks to solve problems rather than avoid them. 

I find that some of the worst heartaches and mistakes were not when I faced a problem head on but rather when I in one way or another tried to avoid it, or go around it, or delay dealing with it. Yet I also know that some of the greatest joys were when I walked boldly into conflict and gave my best. Even when the outcome was not as I wanted, I still felt a sense of joy and accomplishment in facing what I feared. 

 3If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5for each one should carry their own load. 6Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

GALATIANS 6:3-9