The Avoidance of Pain

If you are like me, as you journey through your life, you seek to avoid pain. This is true about the great and the least, and if you don't believe me check out this quote from Thomas Jefferson, “The art of life is the art of avoiding pain; and he is the best pilot, who steers clearest of the rocks and shoals with which it is beset.”

With all due respect to the genius of one of our founding fathers, he is wrong.

Jesus makes it clear that if we are to follow Him, we will encounter pain. This world is broken and we are linked to this destruction with an unbreakable bond. But He also makes it clear that pain and suffering are a gift, a pathway to connecting with others that would be impossible without that experience. “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statues” - Psalm 119:71.

Hang on, we're just getting started . . . 

Starting Over . . .

It was not my plan, but I find it interesting that my last post was titled, "Why Don't We Get The Story We Want?"

You see, my belief in that statement is even deeper now, than when I wrote those words almost seven months ago. 

It is not an understatement to write that my world, my life, looks radically different than it did then. And in this crazy, fallen world, I don't think I'm alone in this belief. 

You see, seven months ago, I was married. I owned a house. But I also lacked peace. And joy. And worst of all, I lacked an awareness of my need for God.

Let me be clear, my lack of peace and joy were my choices. The Bible teaches that even in the middle of challenging circumstances, God will always provide a path that leads to peace and joy. However this is  is a difficult choice, and sadly, was not the path that I chose.

So though life looks very different now, there are certain constants that have thankfully remained the same. 

God still loves me. 

I have friends and family who love me as well. 

I have a job that is fulfilling and filled with people who strive to support each other in good times and bad.

I have seen the handiwork of God despite the chaos and storms of the past few months. And even more important, I have felt the presence of God and His power upholding me when I could no longer stand. 

His faithfulness is unparalleled, and cannot be compared to anything else in my life. If everything else were to be destroyed and all my other relationships removed, He truly is enough. 

And though my story is not what I would have written, His plans are perfect. 

Why Don't We Get The Story We Want?

"For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Romans 8:20-21 KJV)

"For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God." (Romans 8:20-21 NIV)

"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (Romans 8:20-21 ESV)

Truth is hard, no matter which translation you are reading.

Romans 8:20-21 is a great example of that kind of truth that is difficult to absorb, no matter the number of times it is read. Why? Because at the heart of this verse is a truth that none of us want to hear, that this world, (including the souls that have and are currently inhabiting this world), is not designed for our personal satisfactions, dreams, ambitions, and relationships. 

Instead we are told, by God, that this world is destined for frustration, discomfort, and pain, so that in it's dying gasps it (and we) will hopefully recognize our need for redemption and upon acceptance of this eternal gift, will then be freed from the shackles of sin to live in glory with God forever, and ever.  

But in the now, the reality in which we all live, we are not going to get the story that we feel like we deserve. We are definitely not going to get the story that we have all dreamed. So the easy, reflexive action is to blame God, or disavow any knowledge or allegiance of said God, who would have the audacity to not allow us the live of comfort and ease that we all deserve. 

But is that the correct response?

How Is This Still An Issue?

I wholeheartedly agree with a recent column by Judge Gayden, in which he stated that all U.S. presidential candidates should be required to first pass a neuropsychological test. But I believe there is an even more pressing concern which is this: Why is President Biden and his team unable to accurately discern his current mental state? 

Even though neurological testing would help to exclude from presidency those with cognitive impairment, such as from early Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other causes, it does not offer much help in diagnosing a patient who refuses to recognize his / her current condition. (And I think most of us would agree there are all kind of issues if we were to try to expand this testing to predict future diseases and the impact it will have on an individual.)

President Biden's situation, unfortunately is quite common, in that the vast majority of persons with cognitive decline or serious personality disorder are unaware that they even have a problem. This is usually not due to active denial of pathology, but rather due to a phenomenon called "lack of insight" or what neurologists call "anosognosia".