Mysty PfefferI am learning to value every experience the Lord provides to teach me something about following Him. Now I must tell you, loving every encounter or conflict has not been my attitude in the past. I begin to question or doubt myself, and look inward instead of upward. But how much better is my mindset if I look outward and upward instead?
Take, for instance, a chronic illness alongside a difficult relationship. I may perceive my circumstances as unfair or be unsettled with difficult people around me behaving a little greedy, selfishly, or speaking rudely. Perhaps, our value systems begin to expand in opposite directions, and trivial things grate on my nerves.
Sadly, this spiritual grating manifests as a physical symptom over time, and my spine or my heart, starts feeling the pressure. Do you know what I’m saying? The nerves of both are affected in a way that is deteriorating. My thoughts become negative and self-deprecating as well as judgmental.
Valuing Change in Perspective
What if I changed my perspective of the situation? If I choose to view a negative experience as a valuable opportunity to learn something the Lord wants to teach me, two people benefit.
Take the fact-driven account of Elijah and the widow from Zarephath in 1 Kings 17:8-16, for example. God calls Elijah to the enemy territory during a three-year drought to stay there with a starving widow and her son. Elijah doesn’t question God or remain by the dried-up brook; the text says he “got up and went to Zarephath.” This poor woman gathers sticks to make one more fire for her and her son’s last meal. Savor this next verse, my friend, and let God speak to you through his prophet:
“Then Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first, make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, for this is what the LORD God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty, and the oil jug will not run dry until the day of the LORD brings rain on the surface of the land.”
The focus here appears inward as if he is asking for her last morsel of bread. But the reality is he is looking up to the One who provides all things in perfect timing. She is from a pagan land that worships and practices evil—the home of his arch-enemy, Jezebel. Yet, God calls Elijah out of Israel and to her in this pagan place.
What makes me stop in my tracks here is the fact that he does not hesitate to go. So, the question for me to internalize is, “What extreme circumstances are going to bring me to the place of following God without question?” Who do I fail to witness to and empower because of my distaste for confrontation? “Live, and let live” and “To each, his own” are cliché’s Christians are called to lovingly challenge with a physical demonstration of caring provision and a voice of truth.
Embracing Every Problematic Experience
The dying widow didn’t know or like this stranger, and she didn’t have the same religion or values he had, but she listened to him. In contrast, the behavior I display is retreat or avoidance. It doesn’t matter when someone grates on my nerves or believes something opposite of what I think; I don’t have the courage to engage them in conversation. My response is to smile and turn away or shrug my shoulders and change the subject. I do this, so I don’t have to engage them in a deeper, life-changing conversation.
I stuff the opposing emotions and belief differences down upon the very nerves already taunt with physical deterioration. And we both suffer for it. I suffer from undue tension and regret, and they suffer because they lack the faithful forgiving, loving, merciful grace of Christ.
The resulting pain makes me begin questioning where I internalize situations I need to be placing before God. Instead of avoiding complex attitudes towards Christianity and righteous living, I can share the fulfilling reality of surrendering to Christ. If I learn to embrace every problematic experience as an opportunity, I’ll become proficient in expressing the love He so freely offers to me and others. Even people who don’t believe in Him. It’s the kind of bold faith I long for and pray for every day.
Jesus, shows me how I can truly learn to value every experience!
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