If you are a new reader to CandyceLand, I strongly suggest that you back up a few days and begin at the beginning of this series which focuses on the whys and whats of the human condition of "being sinned against." Today is the last installment on this topic - finishing the list of desired behaviors suggested by Paul David Tripp in his wonderful book "A Shelter in the Time of Storm: Meditations on God and Trouble. Here are two more ways in which we should respond when others hurt us:3. "Learn your lessons. God has you in the painful moment not simply to reveal himself to you but to grow and change you through it, as well. He has chosen to keep you in this fallen world because he hasn't finished redeeming you. Sure, you long for the grace of release and the grace of relief, and sometimes you do experience these, but primarily this moment is a moment of refinement. The heat of interpersonal difficulty is meant to purify us, something that each of us continues to need."
This is such good advice. Let's be honest and admit that we are in need of further sanctification in this area. How often have we lashed out when troubled by the remarks or deeds of others? Let's look to God to redeem these situations for our good and for His glory, and know that we are heading for an eternity of "release and relief."
4. "Reflect his light. In these painful experiences, God is not only calling you to submit to his will but to actively give yourself to the values and work of his kingdom. He calls you to reflect the light of his character. He calls you to suffer in ways that can only be explained by his presence and power in your life. Jesus said it this way: "...that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16)."
How could I possibly improve upon Christ's words? May God grant us the remembrance of these lessons the next time we are "sinned against."
OOPS! Humbled again, I used the wrong authors name in my comment on Sinned against again #4 when I said, "Candy, I have to tell you, I had to go back and look for the quotation marks to see where Jerry Bridges ended and you began!" What I meant to say was, "where Paul David Tripp ended and you began!"
ReplyDeleteGreat mini-series on a subject we could all use insight and wisdom on. We should be thanking God everyday that He takes care of the burden of writing and ogastrating each and every moment of our lives "Oh what a relief it is" when I ponder that thought in my heart.
We would do well to be mindful of Our Lord and Savior's own suffering while here on this earth for we have not yet suffered to the point of shedding blood. Peter reminds us in 1Peter 2:23 of how we should react in situations of injustice, "When they hurled their insults at Him (Jesus), He did not retaliate; when He suffered He made no threats. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly." DS