Wednesday, March 7, 2012

On Hardship and "The Secret"

Lately I've encountered some people who firmly believe in the power of a book called "The Secret." If you're unfamiliar with it, the concept basically is that you have the power to attract good circumstances or bad circumstances in your life, based on your attitude and actions.


This book is filled with a lot of feel-good-isms, and on the surface, it may seem perfectly harmless.


But I think it's one that Christians should avoid at all costs, as it takes a very humanistic point of view.


Rather than accept that God allows both good and bad, the followers of "The Secret" seek to wrench control of their futures. There is no acknowledgement of God's role in their lives. Not only that, if you are undergoing immense hardship, this book would intimate that YOU are at FAULT for the bad things happening to you.


This is complete fallacy, folks.


I base my argument on two Scriptures. The first is Matthew 5:45: "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Jesus)



The second is in Job 2: 9-10: 




"His wife said to him, 'Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!'
He replied, 'You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?'
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said."


The point of this is that while we're in this fallen world, good and bad will happen to us, to some more than others. I've been reflecting on this a lot lately, because the past two years have been extremely arduous for me. It's been suggested by well-meaning people that I attracted the poor circumstances (which is what "The Secret" would maintain) or that I sinned and therefore am reaping the consequences (which is what Job's friends tried to convince him of).


I won't lie to you. I have been tempted to think along those lines. Now if you're in a tough spot in life, consider this: ask the Spirit to bring to light anything that you have to correct. You know as a believer that He will make this clear to you, if you need to become right with Him. If there is nothing, go to sleep with a clear conscience and fully lean on Him for His guidance.


God doesn't promise that we won't have difficulty. But He promises to walk along with us if we do, and to also bear our burdens for us. I can't tell you how many times during the past 24 months He has provided unexpected relief and support when I thought my life might be over.


Don't fall into the temptation of reaching for humanistic philosophy that claims you can solve the problem yourself. And don't fall into the temptation of accepting the condemnation from other people that you've done something wrong, either.


Rest on God's love, grace and provision. As I write this, I'm extremely sick with a high fever, chills, a strep throat, weakness -- and I'm still in the midst of a medical mystery where specialists are trying to find the source of an unexplained abdominal pain.


You might say I deserved it. You might say I attracted it.


But I say, God allows both sunshine and rain in my life. I am His, I believe in His goodness, and I will never stop saying that He will carry me through.


You can, too.

4 comments:

  1. Amen sister!
    If we really study the Word of God we will realise that God, our Almighty Father, permits both good and bad in our lives as you so rightly say. The problem is the false teachings of "prosperity" and "name-it-and-claim-it" that Christians are being fed by these televangelists the world over.
    Christians when they are brought to the feet of the cross will all be subjected to the TRUTH, God doesn't lie or withold His intentions from us. We are shown a hard, difficult road that will ultimately result with our life and are left with no illusions to such. I most definately was, as was Paul and the Apostles.
    Christians tend to reject everything from God that doesn't fit into their thinking of blessings as "attacks from Satan", and spend their time fighting him - therefore rejecting what God has for their lives. (The classic example of this was the rich young ruler)

    Anyhow, you made reference to Job. When we look at the book of Job we see two very prominent and important points.

    1. Satan came to God, (the Hebrew for Satan means "to wander to and fro") and stated that he was wandering to and fro. He was doing exactly what he was created to do.

    2. God pointed out Job to Satan for consideration, then received permission to go after him, but only within the remit PERMITTED BY GOD!

    God points out ALL that He has CHOSEN for His Son Jesus for consideration to be tried and tested in their Faith. We are called unto TRIBULATION (Trials and Tests) in this life, however we are saved from INDIGNATION (Wrath).

    Jesus had many who followed Him, however He only taught those that He personally called from their lives. (The 12)
    All of life's tribulations are permitted by God, because He chastens those whom He loves... so that we may be known and made worthy of being sons of God!
    In fact, I will go as far as saying that IF THERE ARE NO TROUBLES AND TRIBULATIONS IN YOUR LIFE, THEN GRACE IS NOT AT WORK IN YOU AND YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN IN NAME ONLY!

    Take joy in the hope (Gk: confident knowledge of a certainty) that ALL of these TRIALS and TRIBULATIONS are to CAUSE you through God's GRACE to become OVERCOMERS in the FAITH which HE HAS IMPLANTED FREELY UNTO YOU, that we may be proved worthy, as we JUDGE (put right) OURSELVES here on this earth, in this life THROUGH and WITH and IN His Righteous GRACE to be INHERITORS of the KINGDOM OF GOD! It is the CHOSEN, the ELECT, the SAINTS that will rule with HIM and JUDGE the world! Take hope and be blessed sister! :)

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  2. It has been said the God looks upon self help in the same light as looks upon self salvation.

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  3. Heidi, I shared this link on my FB page. Your writing spoke specifically to my own experiences,and the reality of not meeting The Secret's, SECRET! Thank you for being real in a world where so many of us (me included) hide the truth of our struggles, fearing criticism and never measuring up, when the bar keeps being raised, and the golden-ring is illusive. I deeply appreciate your candor, and being faithful as you journey in your Safe House. Kendall

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