How long is it going to take us before we realize that we tend to try to escape the very territory which intends to bless us the most? I speak of suffering.
At first sign, we flee. Life has grown to include the phrase, If it doesn't make us happy, we are outta here. So we flit from one routine to another with growing dissatisfaction. There is a general reason. We do not understand nor do we want to understand the monumental gift of life's struggles. We believe them to be of the enemy and, therefore, we talk in that rut.
Suffering and distraction and disappointment are not our enemies. They are our disciplinary instructors coaching us to become the Olympians of general life practices. We must have these elements if we are to experience a rate of success.
Sharon Hersh (who will be speaking at the Tulsa Workshop in a few days) comes out of the shoot in her book, The Last Addiction, with a profound quote. Without suffering, happiness cannot be understood. The ideal passes through suffering like gold through fire (Fyodor Dostoevsky).
Clip a cocoon so the butterfly can be birthed without the struggle process and it will not be able to fly. Many children become the age of adults and yet can't fly because of helicopter parents who would never allow their child to suffer, struggle, and be disappointed.
Dostoevsky is on target, without suffering, happiness cannot be understood. It can't be reached.
A vital element to every one's success rate is for us to not get our way on several matters so that we may be left to simmer....and to learn. Labor and strain and disappointment and distress and setback are not our enemies. They are our coaches. Go uncoached in these matters and one will live a life of perpetual roaming and wandering from one dissatisfying base to another.
Jesus is the Greatest helper and understander ever! Why? He suffered the most traumatic death absorbing all of our injuries and guilt. The Story of Life is that the Savior Suffered. And soon the Christians will observe the day set aside to honor that Sunday in history when he bounced back! He possesses the greatest grasp of life because he died in the worst case of abuse.
We haven't failed in life because we have been dealt a bad hand. Where we fail is when dealt the bad hand we won't play it. If you want to know some really good and authentic news; the things which wish to chip away at your happiness are there only to take you to higher plains of success.
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