Articles and Poetry by Our Members
| It's ok to be Mad |
| Author: Suzanne Holland Entered on: 5/26/2010 8:06:29 AM |
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| Over this last year, I have suffered some serious trials with my health. I have struggled greatly with this, having always been one who was more than able-bodied, very healthy and always “there” for anyone who needed help. As these trials have mounted, I have found my faith to be more than just a declaration or statement of belief in Christ. It is a living, changing thing that starves when undernourished, suffocates when deprived of air, and thrives when fed from the Word of God and fellowship with others. While the sustaining of our faith is of course provided by God, I have found that my responsibility in it is quite clear, and there are certain requirements I must obey if I am to remain in Christ. One of those things is to trust Him in my trials. This was made very clear to me by a recent interaction with a friend. As another wave of trouble rolled my way, and I obediently praised God for it (at least outwardly), she expressed to me that she could not understand my “welcoming” these troubles. She assured me that it was “ok to get a little mad”. My immediate response was to say, “Oh, no, I’m not mad. These trials always turn out for my good, so I can just roll with them.” After I said that, the Holy Spirit began to nudge my conscience, prompting me to confess that, yes, I am a little mad. While I always want to honor God with my public responses, especially among unbelievers, I became convicted that my response was at least disingenuous, if not an outright lie. Many times I have confessed to believing friends how frustrated, aggravated, even desperate I have been with this ongoing health issue. Yes, Lord, I am mad! Why would you take such a willing go-getter as I, and make her helpless and handicapped? It doesn’t make any sense to me. But then the Lord led me to some scripture that encouraged me greatly and bolstered my trust in Him. Psalm 4 is subtitled in my Bible, “The Safety of the Faithful”. Verses 4 and 5 seemed to have been brought to my attention for this conviction that I felt about my anger in my present circumstances: “Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD.” The first point of interest here is that God knows we will sometimes be angry in our circumstances. While the literal context of this verse may not parallel exactly with my point, I think there is some general application. It is ok to be angry, but we must not sin in it. We must not accuse God of wrong-doing or resent Him for His providence. How do we do that? By meditating in our hearts---thinking about the goodness and love of God; His mercy and faithfulness; His ultimate wisdom and perfection; and by being still. While the Psalmist here is probably referring to emotional and mental stillness, I find it interesting that the Lord has provided me physical stillness as well. When you can’t go and do and be busy, you have much more time to meditate on the Lord and think on His goodness. Ironic, isn’t it, for those of us with health problems, that this command to meditate is to take place “on your bed”. While not bed-ridden, I have found myself here often lately, and even now as I write, that is where I am! What are the sacrifices of righteousness for someone who is struggling with health problems and the feelings that come with it? I believe the answer follows directly behind the command to offer them, and that is to “trust in the LORD”. We must take our desires for good health, relief from pain, the ability to help others physically, and the strength to do the things we enjoy, and lay them on the altar of sacrifice to the LORD. Having done this, we will wait on Him for our reward, whether it be a return to good health in this life, or our glorious, pain-free existence with Christ in Heaven. Whatever the Lord decides is best for us, we must trust Him. This is the key to emotional contentment in trials. So, the next time someone says it’s ok to be mad about seemingly endless trials, I will agree. Yes, I am mad, frustrated, and I cannot understand why I have to go through this. But I will testify of my God that I know He is trustworthy and faithful and will not ask me to endure one second more of trial than he will provide the grace to handle. As Charles Spurgeon so beautifully puts it, “Thou shalt never find a bundle of affliction which has not bound up in the midst of it sufficient Grace.” I believe this with all my heart, and I am so thankful that God has given me this insight and comfort through His word today. May you also be encouraged in whatever trial you find yourself, and praise Him with me |
