Regulations or Relationship

Oh, how many times have I been asked, "What do I need to do? Just tell me what to do." In fact, I have said it myself at times. Often when we are suffering, we want someone to scope out our path to comfort. We want a step-by-step plan that will eliminate our suffering. The problem is that a series of steps are more like regulations based on the principle of the law. Do A and B will happen. Truth is, most of us are more comfortable with the law, rules, and regulations because they are black and white. We know if we are following the rules or not. Additionally, a regulations-based process of healing puts us back in "control." We act as if the return of our comfort is largely up to successfully following and completing a series of steps or rules. The minute we are given the steps we begin to feel better because it makes our suffering seem manageable.
All this may be possible, IN OUR OWN STRENGTH. When we take the regulation approach to our suffering we may FEEL better but most likely we will not BE better.

Suffering has a purpose and if we are driven to eliminate our pain we are most likely short-circuiting that purpose and missing the bigger picture, God's picture.

The most effective path to healing goes right through Calvary. It is through embracing the cross and Jesus Christ that He will accomplish His purposes in your suffering. Over time you will not only FEEL better you will BE better because the issues that underlie your suffering, issues that reside in your own heart, will be taken to task and rendered powerless in the face of Christ suffering on your behalf. That is not to say that there are not powerfully painful situations in life that knock the breath out of us, but Christ is in the midst of those as well. How many times have we heard someone say, "I don't know how people go through this without the Lord?" It is the growth of relationship with Jesus Christ that brings richness, depth, genuineness and longevity to healing.

It is not in doing all the right things that will bring us through our suffering, but rather it is a deep, abiding relationship with the One True God, the author and perfecter of our faith.(1) For He is absolutely committed to your good and His glory.(2)

Diane



(1) Hebrews 12:1b-3 ...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

(2) Romans 8:16-18 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:28 and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.