Choosing our Battle

Strong emotions arose in me when I was asked by a children bible school pastor to do a presentation to about 80 children about my native land Haiti. Since it was a few weeks after the events of January 12 th when the 7.0 earthquake devastated the poor island, I didn't know what I would say to them. I've been residing in the States for at least 20 years now, and the Haiti I knew is no longer. But I decided to accept the challenge and worked on a presentation of the Haiti I remember with the participation of my children as narrators to the story.

Often life, events or people take us to places we don't want to go. Often we are asked to revisit our past to understand the present and to plan for the future. Often we are forced to make choices that cause us pain but benefit others. When placed in situations where you have to make tough decisions how do you decide? In what attitude should you make choices that you will not regret? And what attitude should you have in dealing with other people?

The scriptures have a lot to say about our choices and suffering. In 1 Peter chapters 2 to 4 we are instructed to submit to people in authority, to our spouse, to each other and to do good even if it is to our detriment. As I was reading the verses encouraging us to love, submit and respect each other, I noticed the emphasis placed on suffering. If you are like me, probably you don't want to hear about the word suffering for any reason. Does anyone really want to suffer?

Not really! But we do have to confront our pain whether spiritual, physical or emotional. An example of spiritual pain for me would be when I feel separated from God because I found out that I sinned by presumption or ignorance, although I know that my sins are forgiven by Father, and that he would never leave nor forsake me. But commenting and thinking about my homeland bring emotional pain to me. Is there a way to really deal with that type of pain? The scriptures tell us to identify the things that may bring us pain and suffering into two categories. There is the wrong type and the right type of suffering. We are told that it is better to suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong.

The wrong type of suffering is when we suffer for being a thief, a murderer, doing any other kind of crimes, and or even as a meddler. I was surprised to see the word meddler in the bible. Doesn't the word of God has a strange way to reveal our hearts to us? Often interference in other people's matters whether at church, home, work, or any other environment is one of the greatest causes for our emotional problems. We can see then how important it is to analyze our lives when we encounter persecutions to see what the reasons are for such suffering. At times other people actions and words also can cause us emotional pain.

There is also the right kind of suffering that occurs when it is for obedience to God. We can suffer for being a Christian, for doing good, and for the glory of God. We may be exempt of suffering for God in the countries where we currently live, but many people in various parts of our world are suffering for their faith. They are mocked, intimidated, beaten, put in prisons, maimed, murdered and many have their property destroyed. How does Father want us to behave when that happens?

We must be very careful that our sufferings don't make us resentful, vengeful or bitter. We are to keep a good behavior so that others may be ashamed of themselves when they are maliciously attacking and slandering us. The word of God also provided some of the actions to avoid in keeping from doing evil. We are to, (1) do not repay evil for evil and insult for insult; (2) keep our tongue from speaking evil and deceit; (3) seek peace and pursue it; (4) turn our feet from evil; and (5) keep a clear conscience in the eyes of God not man.

We are also given some attitude to have in our dealing with others. We are to, (1) live in harmony with one another; (2) be sympathetic; (3) love sincerely from the heart; (4) be hospitable (5) serve others, and (6) be compassionate and humble. We know that Father is always in control of what he allows to come in the lives of his children. He will give us the love and strength necessary to love and forgive others. But we are to analyze our motives for doing anything to see if it is in agreement with the ways and the word of God. So be very careful when choosing to get involved in a battle.

What is important to remember is that when we are suffering for the right reasons and for the Glory of God, we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Our loving and faithful Father will give us the peace to endure in our suffering, and will keep us strong, firm and steadfast when we commit ourselves to him. A future reward is that we will be overwhelmed with joy when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is revealed to us in all his glory. This is so wonderful because all of us who are in him will be also sharing in his glory. We will be seeing him as he is because we will be like him. Glory to God! Hallelujah!

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus 27 Feb '10