Living With Chronic Pain – Spiritual Healing – Don’t Get Discouraged With God
Recently I had lunch with a friend who seemed somewhat discouraged about his circumstances. In the middle of making some significant changes with his life, he’s fret with doubt about whether or not God is really participating during this process of restoration. Haven’t you felt similarly?
When we really need God, doesn’t it seem like He abandons us at the crucial times, especially when we really desire to count on Him to help with things beyond our control? I think my friend feels very much this way. Nothing seems to matter. From our conversation, prayer seems powerless and reading the Bible feels obligatory more than anything else. As he takes one step forward, it’s as if he also takes two steps backward. He already knows most of the answers about making the most from every circumstance, ranging from opportunity to failure. In fact, I consider this individual very astute about relational and practical issues.
But when it feels like God is not lending a helping hand, dissolution quickly interrupts our attempts to optimistically move forward.
As I listened to my friend’s version of things, I couldn’t help but to think about the difference between principle and vision, as these apply to spiritual outlook. Principles are basically the results of one persevering through vision. When we idealistically apply principles into our life and follow them strictly, we begin to do things exclusively on our own merits or based upon the expectations of others. This strategy is actually deceptive, making us think we’re on the right path, all the while, our burdens get heavier and darkness overtakes any light regarding spiritual realism.
In the long run, strictly following the path of principles does not allow us to follow vision, and in particular, the vision of God. When running this course, we lose vision, as well as an inspired attitude about life.
It’s ironic…My friend actually gave me a plaque with an inscription stating, “Lead With Vision…Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). I know he’s going to read this blog, as well as many others who might identify with what my friend is going through.
Here’s my advice in a capsule. Don’t try to create moral inspiration based upon principle. Nothing really transpires when doing this. Instead, as Oswald Chambers writes, “But wherever there is vision, there is also a life of honesty and integrity, because the vision gives me the moral incentive.” Of course, it takes faith to continue through trials before realizing the vision of righteousness. By faith, follow the vision of God to take you through transformation…
Keep me on your favorites. Please click onto www.gordonselley.com for more information about living with chronic pain, as well as spiritual healing.
