Thought-Provoking Inspirations from the Bible

Research Writer: Margaret W. Lavigne

 

• God grants the suffering of the chosen ones, namely the righteous, for justified reasons (Job 5:17, Psalm 11:5). As to God’s discipline, it’s comforting to know that “God promises to make something good out of the storm” (Roman 8: 28). We’d better “rejoice in our sufferings,” because “trials of various kinds” will “produce steadfastness” in faith and in character, so that we “may be perfect and complete. [1] (Romans 5:3-6, James 1:1-27) The Bible makes it clear that “Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character” (Romans 5:3-6).
• The Bible makes it clear that “The one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48).
• The Bible says, “The righteous man perishes…. And devout men are taken away, while no one understands for the righteous man is taken away from evil” (Isaiah 57:1). Thus, do not mourn for the death of the righteous men, because they receive eternal life and come to live with God in the Heaven like Jesus.
• Do not undervalue the importance of patience, joy, “gentleness” and “self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, Proverbs 17:22). Satan may “tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Corinthians 7:5). Do not minimize the danger of self-indulgence, because “a man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). The Bible accentuates the fact that laziness leads to hunger and poverty.
• It is assured that “Every good gift and every perfect gift are from above” (James 1:17). Thus, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” for we are living under God’s supervision and judgment (Philippians 2:12-13).
• As elaborated in the Bible, “Those who have knowledge” are obligated to “muster their strength,” because “people perish for lack of knowledge” (Proverbs 24:5, Hosea 4:6).
• According to the Bible’s instruction, “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21). Thus, the Bible says those who do “not keep a tight rein on their tongues…their religion is worthless” (Proverbs 20:19).

 

Common Weaknesses and Flaws of Human Beings

The Bible sheds light on the common character weaknesses and sins of human beings, including but not limited to pride, anger, lust, apathy, love of money, binge eating[2] and vanity. It’s a commonplace thing that people have overtaken by temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13). That’s why God’s discipline is necessary.

 

Do not anxious about what to eat, because the righteous and all-powerful God will supply our needs that if we seek “righteousness” (Matthew 6:31-34). The birds of the air “neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns” and yet God feeds them (Matthew 6:25). [3]Beyond that, “do not be anxious about your life” because “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew25). Significantly, “which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 27). Be aware of “little faith” and “do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself” (Matthew 6:27-32).

 

The omniscient God’s mighty power is assured “for God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).[4] Thus, do not keep “record of wrongs” (In Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 4:8). God says “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” (Romans 12:19). God will do the justice in due time (Matthew 12:36 NIV). The Bible says, “If it is possible…live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge…leave room for God’s wrath” for God will repay the evil deeds (Romans 12:18-19). “Special providence” witnesses God’s mighty power, God’s justice and God’s existence that God intervenes in the life of people by giving miracles or punishment (Isaiah 14:24).

 

People do not know that pride is the capital sin among all in the Bible. Pride and prejudice go hand in hand and malicious prejudice often gives rise to conflicts, violence, bullying and persecution.

 

Capitalism encourage people to seek self-interest.  But God demands us to avoid self-seeking (Romans 2:8). In Proverbs 25:27, it says it is not “glorious to seek one’s own glory.” The Bible warns human beings not to be “greedy for gain” (Titus 1:7 ,1 Thessalonians 5:21). The Bible underlines the importance of sharing. Remember, “as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). According to the Bible, “self-seeking” displeases God and God promise there will be “glory, honor and peace” for those who hold fast to good deeds” for “God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:8-12).

 

God makes it clear that those who fail to discipline themselves are “disqualified” to preach God’s will and law of God (1 Corinthians 9:27).[5] God hopes us to “be reverent in behavior” and in words (Titus 2:3). God expects “the believers” to set “an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Thus, do “not double-tongued” (1 Timothy 3:8). Be aware of the cost of “little faith,” namely wavering faith (Matthew 17:20, Job 8:13-15). Those who have little faith and trust in God, their hope will perish too (Job 8:13-15). God will not be pleased for men’s little faith “for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists” (Hebrews 11:6).

 

As to the Last Judgment, “about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven” nor Jesus, but only God (Matthew 24:36).

 

God sees thing differently from human beings. People should not identify a life challenge as God’s publish if they do not deserve it. A blessed life is not an easy life without any troubles. According to the Bible’s instruction, “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.” (Psalm 112:3-5).[6] The Bible makes it clear that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” because “our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (Romans   8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17). God hopes that “trials of various kinds” will “produce steadfastness” in faith and in character, so that we “may be perfect and complete. [7]  (James 1:1-27).[8] Essentially, “self-control with steadfastness is highly valued” by God (2 Peter 1:6).

 

 

 

 

 

What I learn from life?

• History repeats. Similar events repeat itself until we learn the lesson and overcome our unalterable weaknesses.
• Inner peace is the best blessing from God (NLT, Jeremiah 29:11).
• Negative emotions stop us from having a beautiful life. Negative emotions stop us seeing God’s blessings.
• Little faith and wavering faith are universal. Pessimism and depression go hand in hand. What matter is whether we practice the 7 heavenly virtues and become “a better me,” mentally and physically.
• Believe in God’s justice and God’s arrangement and stop worrying.

 

 

Are We Living a Sufferer-Blaming World?  

People tend to perceive life troubles as God’s punishment because they have a limited knowledge about the Bible. People know nothing about “God’s discipline.” (Hebrews 12:11, Hebrews 12:5-7, Proverbs 3:11-12).[9]

 

Karma is based on the law of causality, which builds the link between suffering and punishment.[10] People tend to believe that a good person will have a wonderful life and those who suffer are deserved to take the blame. The deep-seated belief of karma ultimately shapes the world into a global victim-blaming society that people tend to treat the sufferer with bias.[11] This belief is so universal and it rubs people’s compassion to others’ plight. Since the law of causality is a widely accepted idea, people become judgmental and indifferent to others’ predicaments consciously or not. That’s partly why many victims choose not to expose the wickedness and the wicked. We are not all-knowing as God. We might misjudge anyone. By misjudging people, we’re doing them injustice. That’s partly why the Bible says “Judge not” (James 1:26, (Matthew 7:1-3 KJV). [12] As we judge people, we love them less and we might be wrong. By judging people, we might hold hatred against someone who deserves our love and respect.

 

People misinterpret the retribution theology in the Bible through the narrative of Noah and the flood (Genesis 6:5–7). The righteous and the chosen ones will not be exempt from life challenges, but they will grow or even reward from it. The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh tells the story of a catastrophic flood. God tends to end the “uproar” of humankind. The righteous Utnapishtim is notified the impending disaster. In 2000 B.C., the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh mentions a catastrophic flood. Noah is a “blameless” human being. God tells him to build an ark beforehand. Noah is not exempt from the traumatic event but he survives as other people perish in a deluge.

 

 

 

 

Karma Is a Dubious Concept

Karma is a problematic and questionable concept. Evidently, we are not living in heaven.[13] The Bible makes it clear that “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). Countless people “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). That explains why the route “leads to destruction” is wide and broad and the road that leads to eternal life is small and narrow (Matthew 7:13–14). Evidently, we are “among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). Thus, “Do not be conformed to this world” and “keep oneself unstained from the world” (Romans 12:1-2, James 1:27). Believe in God’s justice and God’s arrangement, a steadfast faith helps us to fight “against the powers of this dark world,”[14] so “when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground” (Ephesians 6:12-16). We are live in a world rife with anger, violence, temptation and corruption. Jesus was being betrayed. [15]But there will hope, strength, blessings and miracles for the righteous and the chosen ones.

 

We are living in a material world where countless people reject to practice the 7 heavenly virtues before their death. Global capitalist society encourages self-interest, greed and wealth-accumulation, all of which intensity pride, vanity, apathy and even amorality. People do not believe in God’s existence, God’s justice or God’s wrath. People seek material comfort and self-interest instead.  

 

According to the Bible’s instruction, “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). The Bible makes it clear that “set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you” and  “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life”(1 Peter 1:13, Galatians 6:7-8).[16] According to God’s will, “In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death” (Proverbs 12:28).

 

 

 

 

 

Suffering of the Chosen Ones: The Last Mile to Get the Admission Ticket to Heaven

 

Why Bad things Happen? People ask “Why do people suffer?” I would say, bad news might be good reminders to lead us to the right route and easy life is rife with temptations. The omniscient God tries to lead and guide those He loves to a right route, whether we understand his intention or not. Without God’s discipline, we might be allured by desires, temptations, love of money, or lust, all of which are included in the 7 deadly sins. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves” to save them from temptation (Hebrews 12:6–10, Corinthians 10:13). As we go through traumatic experiences, we gain a better understanding of our weaknesses, our excessive unduly desires and our top priorities in life. If we do not learn lessons from mistakes, we will end up repeating the mistakes. And the history repeats. 

 

The Bible makes it clear that the chosen ones will be “grieved by various trials,” because the “genuineness” of faith will be tested (1 Peter 1:3-9). That’s why the Bible says, “Many are called, but few are chosen”[17]( Matthew 22:14).

 

We might not able to interpret God’s intentions and blessings right away. It takes time to comprehend the blessings in life. Believe in God’s arrangement and God’s mighty power. According to the Bible, God grants suffering of the chosen ones, namely the righteous, for justified reasons, as the following.

 

#Reason 1: God’s discipline: To correct our weaknesses or lead us from temptations (Psalm 23:1-6).

 

It’s never easy to remain tender, humble, righteous, hopeful, compassionate and self-disciplined in the hard times. That’s why only a limited number of people are able to witness blessings and miracles from God. Those who receive God’s blessing should not be prideful for that. Pride is the capital sin in God’s eyes. God gives blessings and God will take back the blessings if we do not deserve it.

 

The material world is rife with “temptation” and God “will also provide the way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Again, God is not the cause of everyone’s affliction. What I learn from life, people are not mentally comfortable even during the times without any life troubles. Bible reveals common causes for mankind’s suffering: selfishness, greed, and hatred (Ecclesiastes 8:9). In a sense, we are our greatest enemy. Master your emotion and master your life. Love, forgiveness, repentance and compassion will be the antidote no matter what. The purpose of God’s discipline is to correct our unshakable unalterable weaknesses, so we can live a better life, mentally and physically[18]

 

#Reason 2: God tests “genuineness” of our faith before He rewards us a huge blessing (1 Peter 1:3-9).

 

　　Whether we remain righteous in the hard times? God expects us to transform and renew our mind in accordance with 7 heavenly virtues rather than conform to the temptations of the “dark world” (Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 6:12-16). God tests “genuineness” of our faith before he rewards us a huge blessing (1 Peter 1:3-9). [19]Those who remain righteous, humble, tender[20], self-disciplined and compassionate in the hard times will receive God’s rewards (Job 5:17). Life troubles verify our faith, motives and life priorities. For instance, God will judge whether we are allured by the love of money, lust, power or any other temptations on earth. Faith gets stronger as it gets tested. The Bible says, “Count it all joy…. when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete” (James 1:2-4). Indisputably, God will “reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve” at the proper time (Jeremiah 32:19). God “works out everything to its proper end” and “the wicked” will meet “a day of disaster” (Proverbs 16:4). 

 

We are not all-knowing as God. Judge not. Do not presume God’s intention. According to the Bible, people suffer for several reasons. Thus, we should not identity anyone’s affliction as God’s punishment. Remember, making a reckless ill-advised judgment is dangerous. There are replete with examples in the Bible which proves that a life trouble does not amount to God’s punishment.[21]

 

God’s discipline can be interpreted as God’s well-meaning intention to train those He loves into a mentally stronger person by going through life challenges. No suffering, no self-awakening, especially for those who fail to well discipline themselves, including me.[22]

 

It’s so easy to go with the flow and waste our time and life on something foolish or insignificant. It’s so hard to resist food pleasures and it’s so hard to well discipline ourselves on a daily basis. Essentially, God tends to correct character weaknesses of those He loves. Thus, people fall short of God’s love and benevolence by stigmatizing life challenges in their life. Again, anger stop us from seeing the gift, once-a-lifetime chance, and blessings behind a disaster. Negative emotions make us foolish and impair our judgments.

 

What I learn from Bible, God tend to correct those He love with so they can be qualified to visit heaven and live with him. God has to “test” the character of the righteous (Psalm 11:5).[23]Beyond that, people doubt God’s existence. People do not believe in God’s mighty power. People are prideful. For instance, a righteous person can be prideful and arrogant like Fitzwilliam Darcy in Jane Austen’s novel “Pride and Prejudice.”[24]

[1] According to the Bible, “Bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

[2] The Bible warns people not to be “addicted to much wine” and not to be “slaves to much wine” (1 Timothy 3:8, Titus 2:3).

[3] The lilies of the field neither toil nor spin but they grow (Matthew 6:27).

[4] In Catholicism, the Ten Commandments are considered divine law, which mentions that children must take care of their parents when their parents become old and infirm. Beyond that, people should not get greedy and jealous in what other people have.

[5] The Bible says, “in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize…Every athlete exercises self-control in all things…So I do not run aimlessly…But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

[6] According to the Bible, “a chosen people” is “God’s special possession” and God will call the chosen people “out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

[7] According to the Bible, “Bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

[8] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God” (James 1:1-27).

[9] The Bible says, “You are a chosen people…Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

[10] Karma is originated from the idea of reincarnation in Buddhism. The concept of karma is in accordance with the law of causality by believing that anything happens for a reason. Buddhism interprets every happening by the law of karma based on the past or past life. This belief somehow becomes an impetus to shape a victim-blaming society. Karma is based on a retributive conception. This belief somehow unjustly blames the victim, the abused and the weak.

[11] In the Bible, Jesus makes it very clear when he and his disciples saw a man who had been blind from birth. “His disciples asked: ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, so that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered: ‘Neither this man sinned nor his parents, but it was so that the works of God might be made manifest in his case.’ (John 9:1-3). Ultimately, Jesus cures the man’s blindness. By so doing, Jesus overturns the false belief that suffering is absolutely the punishment from God. (John 9:6, 7)

[12] The Bible says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Angel Gabriel was sent from God to Nazareth and the angel came to Mary and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” The angel told Mary that she will bear a son who will be great and influential to the world. Angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you” and “the child to be born” is “the Son of God.” Mary believe that God is “mighty” and God “has done great things” for her (Luke 1:49)

[13] According to the Bible, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world” but to save the world through His Son (John 3:17) .

[14] God makes it clear that “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart” (John 16:33).

[15] That’s why the Bible says, “The righteous man perishes…. And devout men are taken away, while no one understands for the righteous man is taken away from evil” (Isaiah 57:1).

[16] The Bible makes it clear that “make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5). The Bible says, “There is no authority except from God…For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad…But if you do wrong, be afraid… not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience” (Romans 13:1-5).

[17] The Bible says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

[18] For instance, the righteous and the chosen ones might commit the 7 deadly sins such as binge eating and laziness.

[19] According to the Bible, we may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” by testing (Romans 12:1-2).

[20] According to the Bible’s instruction, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

[21] The Bible says the wise revere God and “shun evil” (Proverbs 14:16-22).

[22] Without life challenges, no dramatic developmental growth.

[23] Indeed, “the purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters” (Proverbs 20:5).

[24] Fitzwilliam Darcy is not good at socializing with others. He appears to be aloof and unapproachable in the social gatherings. He is judgmental. He has flaws, but he is a benevolent master indeed.

[1] The Bible warns people not to be “addicted to much wine” and not to be “slaves to much wine” (1 Timothy 3:8, Titus 2:3).

[2] The Bible says, “in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize…Every athlete exercises self-control in all things…So I do not run aimlessly…But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

[3] In Catholicism, the Ten Commandments are considered divine law, which mentions that children must take care of their parents when their parents become old and infirm. Beyond that, people should not get greedy and jealous in what other people have.

 

What Blinds Our Vision to See the Blessings Behind a Disaster?

 

As we envision the bonus after overcoming a great difficulty, we define the happening as a life challenge. For those who are able to find the hidden marvelous chances behind a disturbing happening, they will be optimistic, positive and hopeful. For those who fail to notice the hidden advantageous opportunities behind a disturbing event, they might question about God’s justice[1] and suffer from faith crisis. [2] That fully explains why a life trouble to a person might be conceived as a life challenge by another. Generally, people might have completely different sets of appraisals about a negative event.

 

Anger, sorrow and pessimism are the most common causes to blind people’s vision to see the blessings behind a disaster. What I learn from life, as our negative emotions grow in mind, we tend to magnify the difficulties in life. As we are wrapped by negative emotions,[3] we are more likely to interpret every happening in a negative way. [4] What I learn from life, a disquieting life problem might prevent us from losing something more valuable or prevent us from getting into a bigger trouble. You never know.

 

There is a legendary story. A man lost his horse and his neighbors came to comfort him but the man was not sad at all and he said, “Maybe it is a good thing to happen.” A few months later, the horse ran back with another horse. The neighbors went to congratulate him. The man frowned and said “there is no such thing as a free lunch. It might not be a good sign.” One day, his son fell off from the uninvited horse and broke his leg. The neighbors visited his house again, trying to comfort him. The man said: “Although my son broke his leg, it may be a blessing in disguise.” People were confused. Shortly after the incident, all men in youth were recruited to serve for the army. Nine of ten soldiers lost their life during the war. Due to a broken leg, the son was not recruited by the military. Thus, his son’s life was saved because of the broken leg. Ultimately, the neighbors realized the meaning of blessing in disguise. My former life experiences resonate with the story indeed. That totally changes my attitude and mindset as something unexpected happens, either the bad news or good news.

 

 

 

 

 

The Importance of Self-Discipline

 

As I delve more into the Bible, I came to realize the importance of “temperance.” The Bible makes it clear that “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty (Proverbs 16:32).

 

Without self-discipline, we can never get what we want out of life. As we stop trying and stop fighting for a better future, we lose passion and enthusiasm for life. As we stop pushing ourselves to be a better me, there’s a cost. And we might not be aware of it.

 

People ignore the potential damaging effects of habitual laziness and self-indulgence.[5]The key to happiness and blessing is not unlimited freedom but self-discipline.

 

[1] Some people are grateful for surviving over a traumatic traffic accident. Some people get resentful for encountering a disastrous traffic accident. People have different hypothesis and expectations for life and it totally affects how we interpret and accept the bad news in life.

[2] Fury, depression and pessimism usually go hand in hand. Science has verified the fact that negative emotions are detrimental to our brain and overall health, which impacts our judgment and decision-making ability in a negative way.

[3] Common negative emotions include fury, depression, sorrow and pessimism. A pessimistic person does not believe that any good things are going to happen.

[4] Significantly, emotions can be spontaneous, subtle and deceitful. People interpret every event differently due to their former life experiences, life values and beliefs.

[5] The Bible makes it clear that “keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night…Since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 = laziness).