Life Is A Series of Problems
POSTED IN: Makes You Think
Does it seem sometimes like you just go from one tough situation to the next? Here’s some food for thought.
“Life is a series of problems. Either you are in one now, you’re just coming out of one, or you’re getting ready to go into another one.
The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. He is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making it happy.
We can be reasonably happy here on this earth, but that is not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ’s likeness.” – Rick Warren
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August 29, 2008
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character over comfort…that’s been a theme in my life over the past few years. I always equated comfort with security. But it was all an illusion. My security comes from Christ alone, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way.
Shandas last blog post..Operation Vacation 2008
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August 29, 2008
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sage words from a wise man.
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August 29, 2008
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thank you for putting it in perspective. i can now look at our current situation that is unfolding differently. it’s still hard, but do-able.
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August 29, 2008
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challenging thoughts there!
CJ Millss last blog post..Middle School Flashback – POGS!
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August 29, 2008
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i am facing one of those moments…
really? another one God? how much more?
but he is loving me and showing that i asked to be more like him and to be prepared for what is coming down the road
each day is another step closer to God
and another glimpse of who he is making me
thanks for putting it into perspective….
nicoles last blog post..my prayer
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August 29, 2008
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warren usually says things that just sound ridiculous to me, but this is one thing he’s right on. christ wasn’t about bringing prosperity or comfort, but about bringing love, and though it seems likely, love is not synonymous with comfort.
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August 29, 2008
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Difficult words to consider while in the middle of a rough time, yet still all truth.
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August 29, 2008
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This was very timely for me — I’m in Anchorage trying to get flights back to Wyoming, on standby, and just trusting the Lord to get me home. He gave me a devotion from John Piper this morning that said, “Use means, but don’t trust in means; trust in God…This sounds so simple. In principle it is. But in practice we sinners are wired to trust in means, not God. Over and over I devise plans, and then find my initial enthusiasm rise or fall as the plan seems smart or not. This is trust in plans, not in trust in God. There is no doubt God wants us to use means to get his work done. But just as clearly he wants us not to trust in these means. ‘The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.’” Provers 21:31 — devotion from “Taste and See” by John Piper, #122. God is good — He’s given me encouragement now for this day three times in written words!
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August 29, 2008
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[...] I awoke and began to check mail and blogs, I came across this post by Brad Ruggles, and the blessings (and trust-boosting) continued! Icing on the cake — the last text [...]
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August 29, 2008
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With a painful sigh, I couldn’t agree more. It hurts. It hurts bad.
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August 29, 2008
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I agree, and I know that the challenges develop our character, but I don’t believe we are to live our lives saying “oh, I’m being persecuted, oh, life is so hard.” I know God wants our growth and character, but also to be childlike and full of gratitude for the simple, boundless, beautiful graces of every day. To be able to be content and joyful for whatever solaces we have during the hard times and keenly thankful for the times when all is right. I couldn’t get through a day, let alone my life, if I consented to the idealogy that life is one big string of problems.
Laura Carneys last blog post..I Almost Don’t Want To Post This…
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August 29, 2008
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I’m loving this conversation.
I need to trust in God not trust in plans. I am a planner, and that is so hard. But I am learning and I think I will get there.
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August 29, 2008
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@Laura – you bring up a good point. Our perspective is everything. Going through life from one problem to the next would sure suck. However, realizing that the problems we experience in life are there for a purpose helps us take our focus off of the problems.
I think the people Rick Warren was speaking to in this quote are the ones who think that as Christians we should always be happy and never experience any difficulties, and we both know that isn’t true. Jesus himself said, “In this world you will have trouble, but I have OVERCOME the world.”
In the end, we just need a healthy, balanced perspective about what we’re going through.
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August 30, 2008
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absolutely agree. i often have to remind myself if the character over comfort statement/truth.
as painful and uncomfy as life can be – He is worth it. i HAVE to trust Him for all things….as hard as that can be too! but it’s what i have surrendered to…trusting Him.
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August 30, 2008
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I love the quote. On a side note I had a crazy dream about Rick Warren last night and your post just reminded me.
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August 30, 2008
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I am going to show this post to my husband… he had to file bankruptcy a month ago and has been to busy trying to work for that extra dollar to get caught up, at the same time I have accepted a job teaching art, and have had an extra 10 hours added to my other job to make a full time employee. I keep telling him we will be ok, but for some reason he won’t listen to me. He seems to be blind to the blessings that we have been given.
When my dad was diagnosed with cancer and then died six months later my family was devastated. Then we found out my cousins l0 year old girl had bone cancer. I made sure she knew I was available for whatever she needed. I believe we experience these problems so that we can help others through similar situations.
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August 31, 2008
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[...] interesting that God has a way of working in people’s lives. I just read a cool quote over at Brad’s blog from Rick Warren (pastor of Saddleback Church). It goes like this: “God is more interested [...]
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September 2, 2008
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my thoughts: i didn’t realize my old pastor copied that quote verbatim in a message a couple years ago. more and more is coming out of the wash, i swear.
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