I've been continuing to ponder some of the material I'm reading the The Purpose Driven Life. I suppose that's exactly the point of going through the book - any teaching book, in fact.

Here's what is stuck in my head: it is this concept of every trial, every trouble, every problem in our lives being something that God uses to develop our character so as to be more like Christ. I have known and understood that concept for many years. The application of that concept into some of my daily thinking is something that I am just starting to realize is still lacking. Certain things that happen in life I can fully accept and see as God's hand striving to offer me opportunities to trust Him more and to display more the character of Christ. Other situations just, well, irritate me! Not overly spiritual, but still true. And yet, the Bible makes it quite clear that even these situations, as well as the ones that hurt or confuse or burden us, are things allowed by God in the pursuit of making us more like Christ.

The bottom line is we still have to choose - we choose to recognize the problems for what they can be in God. We choose to accept them into our lives. We choose to walk away bitter or, as Rick Warren says, better.

I hope I will always choose better. I pray I will always choose better. Open my eyes, Lord, to see not just the hard part of the trouble, but the potential for growth and knowing You more.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:28-39)




40 DAYS OF PURPOSE
Chapter Twenty-Six: Growing Through Temptation

Main idea: Every temptation is an opportunity not only to sin but also to do good. Temptation keeps us dependent on God.
Most impactful verse: "For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these vile things come from within. (Mark 7:21-23 NLT)"
Most impactful concept: It is not a sin to be tempted.
Other thoughts: I like the place where Rick Warren makes the point that you can't claim to be good if you've never been tempted to be bad. It reminds me of a saying that my university friends and I used to say to each other: 'Don't confuse purity with lack of opportunity.' Back then we were specifically talking about sexual purity. Some of the Christians that we knew were overtly proud that they were virgins, but the truth is that some of them had never been faced with the opportunity to sin in that way, so really what they had experienced was perhaps a conviction, yes, but one that had never been tested. It's good to know what you would do when tempted and to be sure enough that when the temptation does present itself, you are able to recognize the right way, and walk in it. It's also good to know what you think you can handle, and not put yourself in the tempting situation if it's likely to be too much (so saying, perhaps we were a little too harsh with our university friends). And if you find your conviction isn't quite as strong as you thought - call on God, He will always provide a way out before you sin.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)