Finding Contentment in the Midst of Affliction

Tonight we discussed the Chapter 5-Finding Content in the Midst of Affliction.  Considering the heavy topic, there was much laughter and hearty discussion.  Kathy opened by explaining why we were to write various names of God on a board upon entering.  Thinking about God's name and His character is one of the "secrets" to contentment! Also, she introduced the night with the question, "Which is more difficult, affliction, persecution, or annoyances?  Whatever our answer, we need to be prepared for when they do come.

We then discussed questions 1-3 at the end of the chapter.  Question # 1 asks:
 "How important is it to develop the perspective that afflictions and suffering are inevitable?  Why?"  The following are some of the answers discussed:

• If we expect it, we won't be caught off guard.
• We are less likely to doubt God or to have a crisis of faith when they do come.
• Getting ready for affliction is like "digging pits" 

Question # two asks:
 "As you look back on your life to this point, can you think of specific times of hardship or disappointments that you later recognized as mercies from God? How can we develop this perspective in the midst of trials?" 
Here is some of what was discussed:

• K and the trial of a dad with Alzheimer's.  She has seen much blessing come out of it
• K and her years of singleness.  She looks back and sees it as a gift
• P and the life that she has been given that is much different than the one she had expected.  She looks back and sees her time with J and the kids' time with J as a blessing
• Someone mentioned M and her battle with cancer.  M spoke of that time  as a gift from God, and one of the best parts of her life
• What a blessing to hear people that have been through great affliction say that they would go back and do it over for what they have gained.

Question # 3asks:
 "Do you agree that suffering can be both from sinful man and from God for our good? Many people assert that God 'allows' suffering but does not bring suffering because suffering is an evil and God cannot do what is evil.  How would you respond to this?"
Of course, Joseph and Christ would be the prime examples of how the evil intentions of man were actually used by God to carry out His purposes.  There were also examples from Job given.  Here are some passages.:

• Job 1:20-22

  ²⁰ Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. ²¹ And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
  ²² In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

• Job 2:9-10

  ⁹ Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” ¹⁰ But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”^[a] In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

• Job 42:1-3

  42 Then Job answered the Lord and said:

  ² “I know that you can do all things,
  and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
  ³ ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
  Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
  things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

Next we had a lively discussion on the 4 lessons learned from Philippians 1:12-18. The first one begins on page 82-

Contentment comes by turning our afflictions into mercies. 

Here are some points of discussion:

• Its a blessing to watch Christians go through trials with contentment and thankful hearts, namely, being able to see their afflictions as mercies
• "This is part of the mystery of contentment. It differs radically from worldly thinking".
• It is helpful to remember Romans 8:28 in order to have this perspective

The 2nd lesson is on page 84-

Contentment comes by performing the work of our circumstances

• In other words, "Bloom where we are planted".
• There are no "set-backs" only "opportunities"
• "The question the contented Christian asks is, what is the duty of my present circumstances?"

The 3rd lesson is on page 87-
Contentment comes by melting our will and desires into Christ's will and desires:

• Our first topic regarding this lesson was whether we liked the term, "melting" or not. :)
• This is the turning away from our selves and submitting our will to God's will
• It is rejoicing in all things.
• For help in this area we can look at Dianne's questions in one of the previous blogs

Lastly, the 4th lesson is on page 90-
Contentment comes by seeking the good of others in the midst of our affliction:

• "Those who have been in the ministry can testify to the numerous times when they have gone to comfort dying saints and they themselves have left encouraged and uplifted by the faith and testimony of the other.  The afflicted saint often becomes a source of comfort and encouragement to to others."
• The question is, do we really believe what we claim to believe, especially about Romans 8:28?
• "God is good.  God is faithful.  God is for us.  This is the consistent biblical message.  Be content in your affliction". 

Thank you Kathy for leading us through this important chapter!