Stripped: Trusting God When He Allows Others to Hurt Youಮಾದರಿ

THE PATH OF WHATEVER

There is a term kids use these days to describe people they feel have no personality or appeal. They call them NPCs (Non Playable Characters) based on video game characters that are meant primarily as background participants in the game’s world, but don’t add or subtract substantially to their environment.

Some people have an NPC attitude when it comes to life; they have little interest in living fully or flourishing. There can be a lack of goals and desires, and if you try to have deeper conversations, they don’t have much input.

When it comes to relating to God after pain and sorrow, the path of whatever is analogous to NPCs. There is neither a desire to seek God nor anger towards Him. In fact, there is no thought of God altogether. Instead, the overarching attitude is defeat or indifference. In some cases, pain can be so deep, it kills all joy and desire to dream. The problem is that we can’t turn off our emotions—we merely find ways to cope with life and the pain of being stripped.

Some people dive into emotional eating, excessive binge-watching, obsessively practicing a sport, developing addictions to shopping, working, alcohol, drugs, or other things in an attempt to drown out pain. These coping mechanisms don’t always equate to bad things, they’re simply a means to deal with suffering. A relationship with God is not an option worth considering.

We can attempt and succeed at ignoring God and living as best we can, but as many of us have discovered, there’s an emptiness or dissatisfaction that no matter what we undertake to satisfy, is always there. Undoubtedly, at one point or another, this leads back to how we relate to God. This path is but a junction that leads back to the other two paths. A decision will be required eventually: ignore God, which is the path of rebellion described previously (even if it’s a passive rebellion) or draw closer to Him, learning to be guided, healed, cared for, and saved.

THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

The third option is the path of righteousness and drawing close to Jesus. When we choose to act according to what God established in His word, despite the circumstances we find ourselves in, we unlock blessings and experiences that are otherwise easy to miss in seasons of plenty and when everything is fine and dandy.

God is constantly calling, beckoning us to follow Him, relentless in His pursuit to love. He never forces us, instead He invites us. There are moments when that journey is amazing, joy-filled, and like dancing through fields of flowers. But choosing the path of righteousness is not always an easy path. There can be seasons, and long ones, where following leads to Calvary, where those closest to us disappear, and where it may seem like God has forgotten and forsaken us. In fact, three of the four gospels include Jesus’ invitation to follow Him, deny ourselves, and take up our cross.

Jesus’ disciples were familiar with this. They lived with Him and saw Him beaten, flogged, and crucified. But they were also witnesses to His resurrection and power, and their lives were transformed because of it. After walking with the Savior, they experienced what it meant to pick up their cross and follow Him. Their decision to choose the path of righteousness transformed not only their lives, but our world.

Yet, according to tradition, it is likely many of them suffered terrible deaths, due to and despite being followers of Jesus.

The meantime looks different for each of us. For some, it means adapting to new roles, learning new skills, or carrying heavier loads. For others, it might mean dealing with physical injuries that are painful, regaining mobility, or receiving treatment to walk or talk again. It may mean giving up on dreams and expectations or shifting to new ones that align with your new normal. It may involve moving to another city or country, leaving behind the familiar and secure.

Friend, don’t give up during years of drought, keep your focus on Him, stay on the path, remain rooted in Jesus, and hold on to the promise that you will be blessed and prosperous in all you do.

The question lingers: what will we choose in our meantime? Joseph chose the path of righteousness, which is accompanied by many blessings and promises from heaven. But that path is not guaranteed to be problem-free or simple. We are subject to earthly limitations and, as Joseph would discover, further delays or detours within the path.

To meditate:

• Which path are you on: the path of rebellion, the path of whatever, or the path of righteousness?
• Have you experienced God’s blessing even though you are not where you’d like to be? How has He been faithful?
• What are some ways you can better cope with your new normal? Could you benefit from counseling or speaking to others who have gone through similar situations?