CHECK YOUR THEOLOGY
A Successful Sufferer understands that trials and tribulations will expose your theology. Whether your theology is strong or there are flaws in your foundation, times of affliction will uncover it. Webster’s Dictionary defines theology as the study of the nature of God, and especially opinions about humankind’s relation to God. Our theology will determine our understanding and expectations of God. If our theology is faulty going into a trial, then the impact of our suffering could be magnified because we believe that God is dealing with us unjustly.
Oftentimes as Christians, in our attempt to comfort those who are suffering, we pass along faulty beliefs. For example, a common statement that I hear is, “A parent should not bury their child but the child should bury their parent.” Unfortunately, this is not founded in the truth of the Word of God. The first family, Adam and Eve, had to deal with the murder of their child (Abel) at the hand of his brother (Cain). Adam and Eve had to deal with the grief of losing their child (Genesis 4:8). If a parent who loses a child has rested their theology on that statement, then it could cause them to be angry with God and not trust His goodness towards them in all circumstances.
Job was a Successful Sufferer. There is an entire book of the Bible dedicated to his tribulations, endurance, and restoration. However, despite his success in suffering, God corrected even Job’s theology. In Job 40:1-8, Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said: “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it.” Then Job answered the Lord and said: “Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: “Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?
Will you make God wrong so that you can be right? Many of us are trying to adjust God to what we think He should be instead of adjusting our beliefs to who He said He is. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). Like Job, we must humble ourselves when confronted with the truth of God. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:6).
What is the basis of your belief in God to get you through your situation? Is it consistent with God’s Word? Check your theology!
Continue this series with Part V Give Thanks
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Copyright 2020 T.L. Lockley. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
There are many quotes that we all have grew up hearing as children, that somehow stay with use the rest of our lives. However learning more about the word of God has shown me how to put those quotes in prospective.
Tonya,
Amen! We must test everything against the Word of God. That is the standard that we are called to live by.
Blessings,
T.L.
I must admit that what gets me through my beliefs is words spoken by my mom and her teachings of me growing up. She possessed a strong will and faith in God. While she did not always quote the Bible, I believed and absorbed every day advice she gave to this day. She was always right. She was full of faith, she endured and survived because of it and so I am.
Theresa,
I also noticed that older saints did not always know book, chapter, and verse of the Bible but they still had solid theological beliefs. Your mother sounds like an amazing woman and I’m glad that you are able to benefit from her wisdom to this day.
Blessings,
T.L.