What’s on (what’s left of) Alysia’s Mind…

Pet peeves…we all have them. Jack and I attended a Valentine’s Day party with our homeschool group and played a couple’s game reminiscent of the old “Newlywed Game.” One of the questions we were both asked was, “What is your spouse’s biggest pet peeve about you?” A dangerous question, no doubt. A few of the men took the easy way out and answered dishonestly, “Nothing.” Not one of the wives took this route, and we all quickly used the opportunity to voice those little idiosyncrasies that drive us nuts. Jack’s answer was that I swallow too loudly at times. (Seriously?) Mine was that if I’m watching TV, he’ll come in the room, turn the sound to mute, and then leave. Sometimes he’ll watch TV with no sound. When asked why, he told me he just knows what they’re saying. (Maybe if he’d stop using his mind-reading skills and leave the sound on he wouldn’t have to hear my obnoxious sounding swallow.)

By now I’m sure you’re wondering what in the world my point is. All that to lead up to sharing my biggest pet peeve about Christians, and, at times, this includes me. Why is it Christians have decided that the ease with which something is accomplished is the litmus test for whether or not God is blessing it? The idea that God is only behind the endeavors that happen quickly and easily seems a trap of our modern-day anemic faith.

I see little to support this mindset in the Scriptures. As a matter of fact, what I see is quite the opposite.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ.” (I Peter 4:12-14)

Words like stand firm, perseverance, trials, discipline, patience, and longsuffering dot the landscape of God’s word. But despite this, we expect ease and convenience in our endeavors even to the point of quitting in the face of difficulty…because if it’s tough, it must not be God’s will, right?

It would be dishonest if we told you the trials faced while raising support have never caused us to doubt. We have. The journey has been long, and it’s not over. God has been busy humbling us, teaching us and growing us. We see our faith being exercised, sometimes in painful, strenuous ways.

Paul, the apostle, tells Timothy to “Fight the good fight of the faith.” (I Tim 6:12) Although prize fights are characterized by hard work, sweat, endurance, getting back up when knocked down, and intense determination, we want to stay in the ring. So ring the bell, and count us in for the next round.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (II Cor. 4:8-10)