Re(3): discontent

Dale,

There is not much that I really know to say to you except that as much as I am able, I sympathize with your position. I suppose if there was anything I could say to you, it would be along the lines of something I mentioned in my last newsletter: we all have basic presuppositions in the way we approach life. If, for example, I am a scientist investigating paranormal activity and I do not believe in ghosts, if and when I see evidence that would seem to some to suggest such activity, I will automatically dismiss such "evidence" as inconsequential just as a matter of turn, because the fact is, as a scientist I do not believe in ghosts. This says nothing about whether such "beings" exist, however, it merely shows that my presuppsitions do not allow for such a possibility.

You may be wondering how this has anything to do with you. It is simply this: what kind of presuppositions do you hold about God? Is He a good God, able to be trusted even when things look like they are falling apart? Is He a punitive God that punishes people for their failure? How about your presuppositions about yourself? Do you think of yourself as being a failure? How do you measure success?

I think, Dale, that maybe the discontent you feel stems, at least in part, from the value system you hold: stems from the presuppositions with which you approach life. Most of us do not consciously question the underlying reasons why we feel the way we do when our emotions have us over the barrel. Yet I maintain that an aspect of asking the right questions in life involves investigating the truth claims we base our lives around. Not necessarily the truth claims we consciously claim to believe, but the ones that truly control our life. It is not uncommon for a person to hold to a very orthodox set of beliefs and yet, underneath it all, hidden even from himself or herself, are presuppositions that contradict what he or she claims to believe.

We know that the Bible claims that God is an infinitely good God, that He loves everyone unconditionally, so much so that He was willing to die for them when they did not deserve it. We know that our Lord is was a man acquainted with sorrows and grief who was despised, tortured, and ultimately crucified when He had done no wrong. We know that the Bible says that God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us; that not even a sparrow falls to the ground, but what He isn't aware. We know that it says He knows the number of hairs on our head, and we have the beatitudes which promise us relief from spiritual discontent and poverty. These and many more are the claims of the Bible. The question becomes: do we believe them? Do we stake our life on them? Or do our lives reveal that we secretly hold a second set of presuppositions that ultimately govern us and color our view of the world?

You see, Dale. The last thing I want to do is heap ridicule or condemnation down upon your head. I often struggle with doubts and feelings of discontent myself and if I know one thing with any certainty, it is surely that I do not know all the answers! I don't even know that what I have written here is going to be of any help to you at all. But know, brother, that I care about what you said, so much so that I am writing when I really don't know what to say, just so you'll know that there are people "out there" who care. I guess what I am trying to say, more than anything else, is that this human somebody does care about a man named Dale who was desperate enough to get a little more of God in his life he signed a public discussion forum in search of answers. If a human being, unfortunately not always known for his compassion and love, is moved to this degree by the honest, open heart of a stranger, how much more so do you think God above is, if He is at all the God of love the Bible claims that He is? Maybe it is a matter of the presuppositions you hold. Or maybe it is simply a matter of holding on for another day or two. I don't know Dale: I don't know your exactly where you are at in your life. But do know that you are not alone in this struggle. We—your brothers and sisters—might not be able to offer you answers and we might fail when we try, but it is only because we want to help you, only because we are seeking to put our arms around you in loving embrace to let you know that you do not walk this road with Christ alone: we walk it to. Many are the times of darkness, doubt, heartache, and difficulty, but in the end, we believe we will win: it is hope that sustains us. Keep the faith, brother, no matter where it leads you. I, for one, am convinced that we will win in the end and that He will make a way when we walk through the valleys.

One last thing: just this morning I was reading in my Bible some words that spoke to my own present season of holy discontent. Perhaps they will speak to yours? Isaiah 58:6-11:

"Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?

"Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

"Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
And your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'
If you remove the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,

And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.

"And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

I pray that your life become the well-watered garden from the Fount of Living Water that never fails. We love you, brother. We're rooting for you. Press on. Take hold of the prize. Don't let the weeds—the cares and worries of this world—grow up and choke out the seed that was planted in the fertile soil of your heart.

God bless,
Eric

• Re (5): discontent - By dale March 1, 2003 at 10:28:29 AM