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Woman's hand reaching out towards the horizon over sea

All addictions stem from an idolatry issue. Although we’re not walking around worshiping wooden statues in this day and age, we still form idols in our hearts when we place anything before God in our lives –including the pursuit of pleasure.&nbsp;Whether we realize it or not, our destructive habits, and the negative thinking patterns that accompany them, are developed to alleviate or numb the pain we feel inside. While we may seek escape through food, hobbies or other people, sooner or later, it becomes obvious that nothing we do will ever be enough to fill the void.If you’re someone who is plagued with a feeling that something is missing, know you’re not alone. We were created with eternity in mind and the only person who could ever give us the soul satisfaction we yearn for is God.<h3>God Can Set You Free</h3>This means until we come to the end of ourselves, we will always be susceptible to falling into bad habits that can never give us the relief we are seeking. The good news is, if you have become over reliant on a substance, practice, belief system or relationship to cope with the pressures of life, through Christ, you can be set free from the cycle of slavery.&nbsp;In the book of John, Jesus addresses each human’s innate desire to belong and feel loved. In chapter four, He speaks to a woman at a well, and tells her: “You have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband..If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”&nbsp; –John 4:13-17 NIV<figure id="figure-yadj6wby3m63p0vsi"><img id="yadj6wby3m63p0vsi" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1845451560/photo/rear-view-of-carefree-woman-standing-with-arms-outstretched-against-cloudy-sky-during-sunset.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=3_H_StBBf9DfqCjMYZ5m3J7jR4r7YTB_V3hdYX7mK5Y=" alt="Rear view of carefree woman standing with arms outstretched against cloudy sky during sunset at Istria,Croatia" title="Rear view of carefree woman standing with arms outstretched against cloudy sky during sunset at Istria,Croatia" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1845451560/photo/rear-view-of-carefree-woman-standing-with-arms-outstretched-against-cloudy-sky-during-sunset.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=3_H_StBBf9DfqCjMYZ5m3J7jR4r7YTB_V3hdYX7mK5Y=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>In essence, Christ told the woman she was trying to quench the thirst of her soul with the superficial love of men who could never satisfy her deep longing. He was reminding her that true fulfillment could only be found in Him and not in any human relationships.<h3>Conclusion</h3>It’s completely normal to want to be loved and appreciated. But while we should aim for these things in our relationships, it is wise to remember only Jesus can truly satisfy. It is only Christ the Lord who can truly give us peace, joy and rest for our souls. While the driving force behind your addiction may try to make you feel like it is the answer to your deepest hurts and disappointments, there isn’t a drug, hobby, meal or person on the planet that has the capacity to &nbsp;fix you or make you whole.<figure id="figure-3c4w7xl4lm63p4lg0"><img id="3c4w7xl4lm63p4lg0" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2erA1cEUVbHimZ1oM96yu1wmxaCHS43qyboR244p2SUQQnQLSrPDq7zEl25mJ2eM.jpeg" alt="family time" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2erA1cEUVbHimZ1oM96yu1wmxaCHS43qyboR244p2SUQQnQLSrPDq7zEl25mJ2eM.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure>

The Pursuit of Pleasure: A Godly Perspective

redemption concept, God's helping hand and cross on sunset background

<h3> </h3>“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3:5-6 NIVWe cannot function without relationships because humans, by our very nature, are beings who were created to live in community. That being said, the elements of faith, positive expectation and reliance must be present to ensure we get the most out of our interactions with others. The key tools we all need to build a sturdy foundation for a healthy community can all be summed up in one word: trust.<figure id="figure-q18z4fvi4wm5jrqxbp" class=""><img id="q18z4fvi4wm5jrqxbp" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2c2FaqT0r6qptsrZbfWQ8zhWNTXJ1p9DWtoIg4ZzOpV1FoAfYi3mGPaRHfXgRBzd.jpeg" alt="faith journey" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2c2FaqT0r6qptsrZbfWQ8zhWNTXJ1p9DWtoIg4ZzOpV1FoAfYi3mGPaRHfXgRBzd.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h2>The Role of Trust</h2>Ever heard of a trust fall? &nbsp;It is an exercise that seeks to strengthen a group’s faith in one another. It involves one person closing their eyes, crossing their arms and intentionally falling back, while other &nbsp;group members catch them so they avoid hitting the floor.This seemingly trivial group activity embodies the very essence of trust. Essentially, the person falling restricts their sight and mobility as they willingly throw themselves to the ground. This means they have to have a firm belief that the people around them will catch them.In life, we will stumble from time to time, so having faith and confidence in those around us to break our fall is not only comforting in the moment, but is crucial to human survival.<img id="sqp6x62sum5jrrctt" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="font-family: var(--body-fontFamily); font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); font-weight: var(--body-fontWeight, 400); aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/4nSwPRURBOpAs05U9wpnpmyrQcyLI7SSYOTd78wNahN60EoIsstsCOqyBIkvLLLI.jpeg" alt="prayer hands" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/4nSwPRURBOpAs05U9wpnpmyrQcyLI7SSYOTd78wNahN60EoIsstsCOqyBIkvLLLI.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"><h2>Trusting God</h2>How can we be so sure? Because the Creator designed us that way. Human beings aren’t born distrustful. On the contrary, from the minute we enter the world, we are dependent on our guardians to nurture and care for us. Even as we grow older, &nbsp;we remain reliant on them and look to them to provide for our needs. It is only when we mature and experience hurt and disappointment do we fear placing our faith and trust in others.If you’re anything like me, constant unmet expectations might have made you reluctant to trust wholeheartedly. That is why it is so important to place your faith in the only one who cannot lie and never changes. God knows if we place all our hope in man, we will be constantly disappointed. This is why He urges us to place our faith in Him first and foremost. In the book of Jeremiah, the young prophet states:&nbsp;“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” –Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV<img id="qwjwys8oasm5jrria9" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="font-family: var(--body-fontFamily); font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); font-weight: var(--body-fontWeight, 400); aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/bujXJ2P10YXaslwpD3u1DUzIlLXtzrEuvmhNLhMbAqiwkhDlg7dzttYgI5iis12u.jpeg" alt="bible study" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/bujXJ2P10YXaslwpD3u1DUzIlLXtzrEuvmhNLhMbAqiwkhDlg7dzttYgI5iis12u.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"><h3>Why We Must Trust</h3>Like love, the element of trust is a fundamental virtue that holds the world together. Its very nature enables the development of bonds, allowing people to live and work together, feel secure about themselves and garner a sense of belonging. Without trust, family relationships disintegrate, organizational structures collapse and nations go to war.&nbsp;Though it appears to be a natural response to betrayal, harboring distrust only pushes an individual farther into isolation. This drives them deeper into mental bondage; a state of mind that is used by the enemy to keep them bound to destructive habits.Battling bad habits and negative thinking patterns is a daunting task that can feel lonely at times. Although betrayal may have been one of the main factors that led you to living in your head, it is crucial for you to take the necessary steps to begin trusting again. That process begins with relinquishing all of your thoughts, feelings and emotions to God. The Father calls us “blessed” when we trust in Him because when we exercise our faith, we become anchored in His promises. Other people –through intentional or inadvertent actions– are bound to let us down from time to time. Still, these seasons of disappointments are not designed to keep us discouraged.When we are rooted in Christ, we will be able to stand firm in the face of adversity. As long as we remain grounded in God’s word, dry seasons will not phase us, and in the midst of the droughts of life, we will still be capable of bearing good fruit.

The Importance of Trust

Group of different women praying together, Christians and Bible study concept.

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” –1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESVPerversion defines human conduct that strays from behavior that is generally deemed as normal and acceptable in most societies. While the term can be used to refer to a range of deviations, perversion is most often used to describe sexual behaviors that are considered unusual, vile or compulsive to the average person. It is no coincidence perversion usually starts off with the desire for sex.Sadly, because the world constantly bombards us with sexually explicit content on a daily basis, some people have become desensitized to lewd material. This means those who are tempted by sensual content may actively seek out more erotic material to fulfill their fantasies.<figure id="figure-h25f1az52im4pm61cm"><img id="h25f1az52im4pm61cm" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1428537649/photo/surprised-girl-receiving-a-strange-text-message.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kU09mQxaMK20GxbKgXgT9-0Pz60nS46OufU-7Fy8rrU=" alt="Surprised Girl Receiving a Strange Text Message" title="Surprised Girl Receiving a Strange Text Message" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1428537649/photo/surprised-girl-receiving-a-strange-text-message.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kU09mQxaMK20GxbKgXgT9-0Pz60nS46OufU-7Fy8rrU=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Perversion and pornography</h3>It is possible for sexually stimulating material to lead people into a life of full-bloom perversion. Pornography is especially lethal to a person’s spiritual and physical well-being because this demon is the gateway to a distorted life. As a person’s pornography addiction heightens, they will notice the content they first enjoyed will not give them the same euphoric feeling it once did. Just like with a joint or drug needle, someone who becomes addicted to porn will have to “up their dosage” to obtain their initial high.This means when tamer content does not cut it anymore, they may find themselves watching videos filled with homosexuality, bestiality, and pedophilia. After a while, films movies and magazines may not satisfy an addict’s urges, so they may be tempted to get real sex by force through rape, molestation or incest –all perverted acts that are highly immoral.<figure id="figure-b570rah248m4pm6ap2"><img id="b570rah248m4pm6ap2" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1355221009/photo/frightened-dark-skinned-woman-covers-face-with-palms-peeks-through-fingers.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=WnOF6Ml808v19hNAQ2vNXVWMzfZ19pApwkIdMqsPoG0=" alt="Frightened dark skinned woman covers face with palms peeks through fingers" title="Frightened dark skinned woman covers face with palms peeks through fingers" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="null" data-positionY="null" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>The Dangers of Yielding to Perversion</h3>&nbsp;“Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.” –Romans 1:28 NIVStatistics show porn addiction, or problematic pornography use, affects approximately 5–8% of the adult population. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the world wide web, this figure is only expected to increase with time. Interestingly enough, while on the surface, it may appear viewers engage with this type of content for quick and easy sexual gratification, there are deep-rooted issues such as an unfulfilled longing for love, that tempts people to sneak a little peek here and there.The catch is, every time a person goes back for more, their appetite for the inappropriate content only increases, which causes them to develop an urge that can only be satisfied with continual and increased viewership. No matter how much they try to convince themselves their actions are not that bad, slowly but surely, they grant the enemy permission to normalize things that God says are evil.&nbsp;At this point, a person’s conscience becomes seared and God gives them over to a depraved mindset so they do the things they should not do without concern for consequences. Oftentimes, at this stage, an individual will try to justify their immoral acts. Even if they do recognize their actions are wrong, they won’t be convicted or moved to change their behavior.Sadly, before they know it, they become ensnared and entangled in a messy web of sin.&nbsp;<h3>A Biblical Perspective on Perversion</h3>In 1 Corinthians 6:18, the Apostle Paul warned believers to flee from sexual immorality. He explained this sin was specifically heinous because “all other sins a person committed were outside the body, but an individual who sinned sexually, sinned against their own body.” &nbsp;This is because Paul, through revelation from God, understood the devastating effects such sexual acts could have on a person’s body, spirit and soul.The Greek and Roman cultures that dictated the way of life in Paul’s day were characterized by idol worship. This hyper-sexualized culture was inundated with all sorts of perversion. In fact, immoral acts were so common that things like prostitution, homosexuality, pedophilia and adultery were even normalized.Paul understood some of the Corinthians would have trouble understanding the severity of sexual immorality since they grew up in a culture that had desensitized them, so he explained how fornication violated the body by desecrating the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

Perversion from a Christian Viewpoint

<h2>Understanding Disappointment</h2>“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” –Isaiah 40:31 NIVThe most certain thing about the human condition is we will all experience disappointment at some point in our lives. Whether it be in our families, relationships, careers, or ministry, there is, and will always be, a season of disappointment we will have to overcome.It is very important to be conscious of the times when you feel disappointed. This is because disappointment can lead to discouragement and discouragement, if not addressed, will lead to despair.<figure id="figure-zt4egb0audm4fsh38z"><img id="zt4egb0audm4fsh38z" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1780363729/photo/bored-and-disappointed-male-indian-employee-sitting-in-waiting-room-on-row-of-chairs-full.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=PH8zeXRPLfRBKUE9do5cjtzHb7D1eDsITVkZPUH8hf4=" alt="Bored and disappointed male indian employee sitting in waiting room on row of chairs, full length shot" title="Bored and disappointed male indian employee sitting in waiting room on row of chairs, full length shot" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1780363729/photo/bored-and-disappointed-male-indian-employee-sitting-in-waiting-room-on-row-of-chairs-full.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=PH8zeXRPLfRBKUE9do5cjtzHb7D1eDsITVkZPUH8hf4=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h2><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));">The Dangers of Succumbing to Despair</h2>Despair, defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary, is the complete absence of hope. Hence, it is imperative we be on our guard when we are faced with an unmet expectation. Those moments when our hope is crushed and we feel let down are the critical seasons that will determine if we keep pushing or give up.When we’re faced with disappointment we have two choices. We can either dwell on the negative, or we can focus on Christ. One choice will guarantee we stumble because focusing on disappointment will deplete spiritual strength. The second choice, on the other hand, keeps our minds &nbsp;on the Lord and the love of the Father which keeps us from throwing in the towel.<figure id="figure-s92pmrxt7om4fsh8vi"><img id="s92pmrxt7om4fsh8vi" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1493063095/photo/rear-view-image-of-a-woman-sitting-alone-on-a-bed-in-bedroom.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=j431llm4t272CgOFtscS0txWoGVhdoV5ShmLc29nTV8=" alt="Rear view image of a woman sitting alone on a bed in bedroom" title="Rear view image of a woman sitting alone on a bed in bedroom" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1493063095/photo/rear-view-image-of-a-woman-sitting-alone-on-a-bed-in-bedroom.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=j431llm4t272CgOFtscS0txWoGVhdoV5ShmLc29nTV8=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Take Control of Your Perspective</h3>When I experienced disappointment, I would ruminate on the hopelessness of my circumstances from a human point of view. Still, the Bible says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).&nbsp;This taught me that although human reasoning might try to tell me things will never change, my limited scope of thinking does not dictate what God can and cannot do. Furthermore, regardless of what I think, He is always good and has my best interest at heart. This meant regardless of my dilemma, God &nbsp;would protect and save me.The scripture goes on to say “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6). This also taught me that regardless of my fleeting feelings, I had to make the active choice to trust in God’s Word so He could direct my steps.<h3>The Takeaway</h3>Often when we are disappointed we are tempted to think “What’s the point of even trying?”At times like this, we are especially prone to questioning the promises of God. Still, we are urged to submit to God’s will, which is to love and trust Him with all of our hearts. When we do this, He will give us a proper perspective.“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” –Proverbs 3:7-8 NIVI believe the way we choose to deal with disappointment determines our spiritual health. If we think we know everything and try to be wise in our own eyes, the pain we feel from disappointment can easily cause us to sink into a pool of despair. On the contrary, if we trust God and resist the temptation to give up, we will be comforted by His love that comes in the midst of trying times.<figure id="figure-6z0q1zxkpnm4fshenw"><img id="6z0q1zxkpnm4fshenw" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1819832788/photo/silhouette-of-hand-helping-on-sunset-background.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=QMsl2U3F06yz4tMGP1PMIttyzIT0la7M_Z8DgOeTzmk=" alt="Silhouette of hand helping on sunset background" title="Silhouette of hand helping on sunset background" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1819832788/photo/silhouette-of-hand-helping-on-sunset-background.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=QMsl2U3F06yz4tMGP1PMIttyzIT0la7M_Z8DgOeTzmk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>

Dealing with Dissapointment

<h2>Counting It All Joy</h2>Choosing to be joyful in the midst of hard times is definitely easier said than done –at least for me it was. One thing I’ve learned is God wants us to be honest with Him about our pain.That’s why when I think about people in the Bible who persevered through tough times and came out on top, my mind instantly goes to Job.Honestly, this was my least favorite book of the Bible because it revolved around suffering and I am not a fan of unwarranted hardships or trials.<figure id="figure-taktes1iaam45ltfws" class=""><img id="taktes1iaam45ltfws" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/104Fj3KcKeaf4KaAJuEpeNSMTMuChcbNpYqRDpkYYwDfoTjJNi5a5bnIAWLvXapz.jpeg" alt="faith strength" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/104Fj3KcKeaf4KaAJuEpeNSMTMuChcbNpYqRDpkYYwDfoTjJNi5a5bnIAWLvXapz.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>The Book of Job</h3>The book of Job begins by describing him as a perfect and upright man who was very prosperous and successful. Then the scene switches to God’s heavenly courts, where His angels come to present themselves to Him. Among God’s heavenly beings appears Satan, who when questioned, tells the Lord he has been roaming the earth and taking note of everything that was going on. The New Living Translation version states:&nbsp;“Then the Lord asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant Job? He is blameless…He fears God and stays away from evil. &nbsp;Satan replied, yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!” –Job 1:8 NIVHere, we see God brought Job to Satan’s attention, and the devil, who is also known as the accuser, tells God Job only loved Him because He protected him and blessed him with much wealth.&nbsp;“But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face! Satan challenged God. All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically,” the Lord responded.” –Job 1:11-12 NIV<figure id="figure-9wbz0hrt3m45ltk3e"><img id="9wbz0hrt3m45ltk3e" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1312850834/photo/the-book-of-job-title-page-close-up.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=dZxC0XwT07K0-Y93R9wE177CZT3d5xHyR_e4wQwy040=" alt="The Book of Job Title Page Close-up" title="The Book of Job Title Page Close-up" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1312850834/photo/the-book-of-job-title-page-close-up.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=dZxC0XwT07K0-Y93R9wE177CZT3d5xHyR_e4wQwy040=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));">Satan: The Source of All Suffering</h3>After Satan left God’s presence, he sent a band of raiders to steal Job’s cattle and murder his servants. The devil also rained down fire from heaven to incinerate Job’s sheep and shepherds and sent a second band of raiders to steal Job’s camels and kill the rest of his workers.If that was not bad enough, Satan also signaled a powerful whirlwind to strike the house of Job’s oldest son while he and his other siblings were feasting. The Book of Job is a very tough reading to digest. On the surface level, it can seem like an upsetting sequence of events since it appears like God gave Satan permission to torture somebody who did all the right things.After all, it was God who brought Job to Satan’s attention. Personally, that specific verse intrigued me, because Christianity teaches us that God protects us from the enemy and wants us to have and experience good things. Needless to say, for the longest time, I could not wrap my head around the fact that God not only permitted that kind of suffering for a righteous man but also instigated the series of unfortunate events in the first place. The first time Job is tested he pronounces:&nbsp; “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may his name be praised.”&nbsp;–Job 1:21 NIV<figure id="figure-kxlp6t5sfm45ltshi"><img id="kxlp6t5sfm45ltshi" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2058852750/photo/headache-burnout-and-young-black-woman-in-the-living-room-of-her-modern-apartment-on-weekend.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=1laFyMPg2TLPwS_v4jAIIcdzfDvilO6obmV_irrkuvA=" alt="Headache, burnout and young black woman in the living room of her modern apartment on weekend. Stress, mental health and sick African female person with migraine for illness in lounge at home." title="Headache, burnout and young black woman in the living room of her modern apartment on weekend. Stress, mental health and sick African female person with migraine for illness in lounge at home." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2058852750/photo/headache-burnout-and-young-black-woman-in-the-living-room-of-her-modern-apartment-on-weekend.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=1laFyMPg2TLPwS_v4jAIIcdzfDvilO6obmV_irrkuvA=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Satan is Relentless</h3>As a result of his faithfulness, he is credited for not sinning by blaming God for the sudden calamity that befell on him. But get this, Satan appears before the Lord a second time and God brings Job to his attention yet again.“Then the Lord asked Satan, Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.“Satan replied to the Lord, ‘Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!’ ‘All right, do with him as you please,’ the Lord said to Satan. ‘But spare his life.’ So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.” –Job 2:3-6 NIVAfter the second set of misfortunes fall on Job, his own wife urges him to curse God and die. Still, with unwavering conviction, Job tells her she is speaking as if she were foolish, insisting people should accept bad things from the Lord just like they embrace His blessings. Job is then visited by three of his friends who try to justify his adversities by accusing him of sinning against God.Naturally, Job, who was confident in his innocence, defends himself and in the process, questions God’s justice as he laments over his situation. After a long dialogue between the men, the Lord finally shows up in a whirlwind. Instead of answering the questions Job put to him concerning justice, He reminds Job that He is the Creator of the world with wisdom that surpasses all human reasoning.&nbsp;After God speaks, Job apologizes for challenging Him by questioning the logic behind his justice. The part that really gets me is the fact that God turns around and condemns Job’s friends who seemingly expressed an accurate depiction of God.They were the ones stating no one was smart enough to give the Lord advice and pointing out His sovereignty and omniscience. But at the end of the entire ordeal, the Lord turned around and said:“After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. &nbsp;My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” –Job &nbsp;42:7-8 NIV<span style="font-family: var(--head-fontFamily); font-size: calc(32px * var(--head-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--head-fontStyle, normal); font-weight: var(--head-fontWeight, 500); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: var(--head-fontFamily); font-size: calc(32px * var(--head-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--head-fontStyle, normal); font-weight: var(--head-fontWeight, 500); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));">ConclusionIf we were to evaluate the situation from a human standpoint, this story would not make much sense. If Job had spoken the truth about God, why did he apologize at the beginning of Job 42? &nbsp;While the answer may not be clear, one thing is sure. Even in the middle of Job’s suffering he did not denounce the Lord his God or lose faith in him.&nbsp;I believe God considered Job’s response to his suffering righteous since he was unwilling to curse or blame Him for the onset of his troubles. Not only that, even in the peak of Job’s testing, he was honest enough to bare his whole heart to God with jarring questions, instead of pretending like he wasn’t hurt.Moreover, after God reminded him that His thinking was way beyond human reasoning, Job was willing to humble himself and accept that as a response to his questions about God’s justice, despite the fact that it didn’t directly address any of his queries.&nbsp;I bring up the story of Job because in counting all of our trials and tribulations as joy, we should not be oblivious to the discomfort and pain we are feeling. God doesn’t want a ritualistic relationship where we follow scriptures blindly because it’s something we are supposed to do.In addition, He is not interested in a shallow relationship where we just repeat a bunch of pretenses we’ve heard about Him. This approach will not ease our pain and will only drive us farther away from Him when we don’t get the outcome or answers we want.&nbsp;On this journey to freedom, it is okay to feel hopeless at times. But instead of allowing bad emotions to take root in your heart and decrease your faith, bring them to the Lord in prayer. He can handle your tough questions and despair.&nbsp;

When the Going Gets Tough

<h2>Understanding the Power the Tongue</h2>“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”&nbsp;–Proverbs 18:21 NIVJust as important as guarding our thought lives, are the words we choose to utter. In fact, our words carry so much weight, the Lord tells us life and death are in the power of the tongue.All human beings are created in the likeness and image of God. Just as He created the heavens and the earth through His words, we too possess the ability to influence our outcomes through the things we choose to say.Ultimately, our words can speak blessings, or they can communicate curses. They can build others up, or they can break them down. Through it all, one thing is certain; those who love to talk will reap the effects of their words –whether the things they proclaim are positive or negative.<figure id="figure-p10kolltmm3vna6uy" class=""><img id="p10kolltmm3vna6uy" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604882735634-bcac4a61725a?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxjaHJpc3RpYW5pdHklMjB3b3Jkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzI0NTU1MTV8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="christianity words" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604882735634-bcac4a61725a?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxjaHJpc3RpYW5pdHklMjB3b3Jkc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzI0NTU1MTV8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>Words as a Reflection of the Heart</h3>The old children’s adage states “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” While this saying has stood the test of time, it could not be farther from the truth. Words hurt and they carry significant weight. Just think about all the people who believed they would never amount to anything after they were berated their entire lives.Not only that, think about how many people failed to reach their maximum potential because they told themselves they were too weak to try.Words have driven some people to get trapped in the valleys of life, while they have propelled others to persevere despite all odds. While a good portion of an individual’s fate is determined by how they choose to accept the messages spoken over them, there is a spiritual element that also comes into play. This means the words we speak create the world we experience. This is why it is so important to bridle our tongues, especially when we’re feeling angry, discouraged or depressed.<h3>You Are What You Say</h3>While trials and challenges are inevitable, sometimes we worsen an already bad situation by speaking words of death over ourselves. Many of us may not admit it, but when we’re stuck in a tough spot, we tend to declare words of disaster that bring doom and gloom, instead of trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision. Indeed, the habit of speaking words of death starts in the mind and is made tangible through our speech. Still, just as negative words increase the likelihood of unfortunate outcomes, faith-filled words bring about peace, joy and blessings. &nbsp;<figure id="figure-wyxkpxtc68m3vntnqf"><img id="wyxkpxtc68m3vntnqf" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1677594332274-3e2c016723b7?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHx0YWxraW5nfGVufDB8fHx8MTczMjQ1NjMyOXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a man standing next to a woman on a sidewalk" title="a man standing next to a woman on a sidewalk" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1677594332274-3e2c016723b7?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHx0YWxraW5nfGVufDB8fHx8MTczMjQ1NjMyOXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure><h3>Speak Life Not Death</h3>Life is hard, and trying to navigate the everyday ups and downs of its ever-evolving landscape is even harder. In a world hyper-fixated on the negative, it is imperative to make an intentional effort to see through the scope of the scriptures.Remember, no situation could ever be too hopeless because “God works all things for the good of those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). That being said, if you think you may have an inclination towards cynicism, a good practice to nip negative talking in the bud is to refute pessimistic utterances with the word of God. For example:Don’t say: “Life is hopeless, there is pain and suffering everywhere.”Instead declare: “The sufferings I witness and experience now pale in comparison to the glory that will be revealed to me when Christ returns” (Romans 8:18).Don’t say: “Things will never get better, I might as well give up now and throw in the towel.”Instead proclaim: “I will not become weary in doing good because when the time is right, I will reap a harvest if I don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9-10).Don’t say: “I am so lonely, nobody likes me and I’ll probably be stuck in involuntary solitude for the rest of my life.”Instead affirm: “My identity is found in Christ alone and because He is with me, beside, behind me and inside me I am complete and whole” (Acts 17:28).Don’t say: “This is too hard, there’s no way I can overcome this obstacle.”Instead assert: “I will not be afraid or discouraged no matter what comes my way because God is with me wherever I go” (Psalm 139:7).Don’t say: “I can’t stop worrying, my mind won’t shut off.Instead proclaim: “I will not be anxious, but in all things by prayer and supplication, I will give my concerns to God and be comforted by His peace (Philippians 4:6-7).Don’t say: “What’s the use? My situation is hopeless and there is no way out of this mess.”Instead declare: “I will trust in the Lord always and not rely on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).