Selwyn starts today’s study with: “When we try to avoid frustration by becoming critical and negative, we end up in deeper frustration. It is an escape – to nowhere.”

I think the verses Selwyn has picked from the Book of Jonah are very instructive, the following is the entire Chapter 4, together with the last part of Chapter 3, which provides the context for the start of Chapter 4.

Chapter 3: 6-10 (NIV): “When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

(Chapter4) But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.

He prayed to the LORD, “Isn’t this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

But the LORD replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the LORD God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left – and also many animals?” “

Jonah had his own view of what was right and wrong; for him the Lord - is the God of Israel who’s business (in Job’s mind) is to care for Israel and to destroy their enemies.  Nineveh was a pagan city, which was known for the people’s evil practices – as God states in the first Chapter, ‘ … its wickedness has come up before me.’ Consequently, Jonah could not tolerate the thought that God would show mercy and compassion to an evil, gentile nation.

Yet, this characteristic of God to forgive His enemies is demonstrated by Jesus on the cross. The fantastic news for those of us who are not Jews is that we are included in His Kingdom. We read in the Book of Jonah that when God saw that the Ninevites had turned from their evil ways, He relented and did not bring on them the destruction He had threatened.

So too, when Jesus suffered to save us from eternal death - we were then enemies of God – we could do nothing, by ourselves, to repair the relationship with God; which was forever broken by our sinful nature.  Yet, as Jonah exclaims:  ’I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity’.

In summary, those who turn to Jesus and believe – will be saved by His love from the calamity that is coming on the final day of judgement. Those who reject Christ, will have no right to be angry on the last day - it’s God’s perfect view on what’s right and wrong, which will prevail – not Jonahs and not ours!

Any comments?

Selwyn continues to consider ‘how it is possible to use negative attitudes as a way of escape from our own problems. He talks about a case where a woman retreated behind a barrier of criticism – she constantly found fault with everyone, including family and friends. Yet, she was as sensitive as a boil about her own faults, and wouldn’t let anybody touch them.’

He writes: ” … This is why we need friends to come alongside us and lovingly explain the things they see in us which we cannot see in ourselves. … For the great majority of people who lack comradeship and friends, the reason is inherent in certain basic factors in themselves. … It may be painful to admit to critical attitudes, but when we do, God helps us to move forward and enjoy real relationship with Himself and others.”

I’ve mentioned the importance of having a spiritual mentor on a number of previous occasions; in a sense it’s giving permission to someone who is spiritually mature and has the ability to see the splinter in your eye and the skill to remove it. Sometimes the process of removal hurts a little, but the end result is well-worth it. To allow someone to get close to you, so that they can look into your eyes takes some courage – with some people there is a degree of anxiety in regard to allowing people into their inner world of thoughts and actions. Nobody is perfect – and at some time or other – even the closest of friend may appear to have betrayed our confidence and trust. We need to be willing to open ourselves up to the possibility of failures in relationships; and, have the heart to look at such failures, when they occur, with forgiveness.

Consequently, it’s important that whenever we talk to anybody about our spiritual lives – we start the conversation with prayer – and invite God’s Spirit to be the third person - to watch over us and guard our minds and heart.

Any comments?

I found Selwyn’s introduction to be excellent: “Now we look at a way of escape which many take when confronted by unpleasant reality – the adoption of critical and negative attitudes. Such people evade responsibility for facing up to issues by being critical and negative. They are so busy pointing out the shortcomings of others that they hide their own.

Sadly, this is a harmful practice. If you take a negative or critical attitude towards other people and situations you become, in time, a negative person. The attitude becomes actuality – in you. That is the pay-off … “

I think we would all know people who constantly express a negative attitude – and, they are hard people to spend any length of time in their company. I don’t think it’s an issue if occasionally we are critical of someone’s actions – the average news report often provides material which many would find negative. The problem, I feel, is when a person never or rarely takes off their ‘negative’ coat – their wear it like a uniform on parade that advertises their powers of discernment.

Perhaps there is an increased danger in developing a negative attitude at all times because of the turmoil, which we now see around this troubled world. If, this is the case, then today’s prayer is very relevant: “O God, help me see that when I develop a critical and negative spirit it is like a flashing red light within my personality sending out a signal that something is wrong – with me. Save me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

In today’s study – Selwyn talks about escaping from life’s responsibilities by becoming obsessed by illness – real or imaginary.

He writes: “To be diverted by illness as an excuse for not facing up to responsibility is about as helpful as shooting yourself in the foot to take your mind off toothache! To run away from the frustrations and responsibilities of life into illness is to end up running away from life.”

To paralyse your motivation for living a productive life serving Christ, by becoming pre-occupied by illness, is a very sad outcome. Jesus’ death on the cross brought us freedom – and, we only have seventy odd years on this earth to demonstrate our love for our Lord. For many people their Christian lives are much shorter, sometimes only measured in days – consequently, every day is a new and priceless opportunity to express our love; for Jesus and for all people.

There is only one winner (on a short term basis), when we run from  a productive and free life into the known bondage of ’exaggerated’ illness; and that is the the evil one – who spends his time roaming the earth to disrupt the living sacrifice of a Christian’s love.

Selwyn is right when he says in his conclusion that when you take your eyes off your illness, and look towards Jesus – then your fears will lose their hold over you. It’s a matter of bring your fears to God in prayer.

Any comments?

***

[How many noticed that I'd turned  over two pages - now in the process of fixing it?    ]

Selwyn spends another day looking at how physical illness can be caused by the frustrations that arise when we try to escape the realities of life.

To be honest, I found little in today’s study that I  liked – I found the stories interesting but they didn’t give me much in the way of spiritual content.

What I really did like was the text set for reading and meditation – these few verses, contain a wealth of great stuff.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians 4:4-13 (NIV): “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Let’s go through some of these inspirational words: let our family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues see our gentleness – in all that we do. Don’t be anxious about anything and take, in prayer,  every situation to God. Trust that Jesus is always near you; and He is guarding your heart and mind.

Put into practice what you hear God say – throughout the pages of Scripture – and you will experience His peace and contentment, which is beyond human understanding. We can follow God’s Word through Jesus, because His Spirit will give us the necessary strength. We know this because He has already demonstrated His great love for us – He has adopted us and He won’t abandon us as orphans – we need to live as members of God’s family, believing in His promises.

Your views?

Selwyn starts by saying: ” … we explore again how physical illness can be caused by frustration. In what must be one of the saddest passages in the Bible we read how Amnon, the eldest son of King David, fell in love with Tamar, his half-sister, and raped her. Our text (2 Samuel 13:1-22, NIV; reproduced in part, below) tells us that he became ‘frustrated to the point of illness’.”

Excerpt (verses 1-14): ‘In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her. Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”

“Go to bed and pretend to be ill,” Jonadab said. “When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.’” So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “I would like my sister Tamar to come and make some special bread in my sight, so I may eat from her hand.” David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare some food for him.” So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. Then she took the pan and served him the bread, but he refused to eat.

“Send everyone out of here,” Amnon said. So everyone left him. Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food here into my bedroom so I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, “Come to bed with me, my sister.”

“No, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.’

Selwyn, sums up these verses, as follows: “The verses we have read seem to suggest that Amnon’s frustration came about because of a blocked goal – and so it is likely he was experiencing anger. Many illnesses are triggered by this most damaging emotion. Anger and health are incompatible. Learn to face and deal with anger and you will be a more healthy person.”

To me, Amnon’s actions suggest that he did not actually ‘love’ Tamar – he was driven more by sexual lust for a beautiful woman – an obsession that was probably fueled by the risks associated with the imagined relationship. Such obsessions take hold of a person to the point where they are no longer acting rationally. Tamar, even provided a way for Amnon to be with her; by suggesting that he ask King David’s permission, for her to be his wife. However, like most obsessions  – they desire immediate satisfaction – so he raped his own half-sister.  Finally, another trait of obsessions was demonstrated - the rape failed to provide the satisfaction he dreamed of – so his lust, was then expressed as anger towards Tamar. An old story – but one which is being played out, in many situations, in today’s ‘modern world’.

Another sad aspect of this biblical story, is that the eldest son of King David does not appear to have learnt from his father’s mistakes. We know from the Psalms that David had a close relationship with God; although he also, at times, allowed his emotions to take him down a path of evil. David does not appear to have done much in the way of teaching his son(s), to fear and to love the Lord. He may have – but I can’t find anything in Scripture to suggest that he did  – does anyone reading this, know of any relevant reference? In summary, if we find ourselves being led astray by an obsession – take the issue immediately to Jesus in prayer – He can release us from the bondage of any obsession.

Any comments?

Today’s study, I felt, was fairly self-explanatory: as indicated in the introduction and conclusion, as follows: “Now we look at another form of escapism – self-induced illness. I must make it clear that not all physical illness is self-induced, but some of it is – perhaps more than we realise.

… though not all sickness is caused by disrupted emotions, it is important to recognise that the mind can affect the body – hence the word ‘psychosomatic’.”

There is a wealth of medical & scientific literature that provides information on the role of our mind and its influence on our state of health. Our immune system can be adversely affected by stress to the extent that it lowers the body’s resistance to a range of diseases. However, I think, that a lot more research is required to enable us to fully understand the mechanism of self-induced illness. (Maybe there is a lot of research already done which just has not appeared outside the pages of medical journals?)

The following verses have had a history of being misused, but they contain an extremely valuable truth, James 5:13-16, NIV: “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith (and aligned with God’s will – my edit) will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

The truth is that when we are suffering from an illness we should pray and we should seek the prayer of righteous people. It’s obvious that not all sick people prayed for, will be cured. However, prayer will strengthen an ill person’s trust in God’s love.

In some cases, the Holy Spirit does cure people – I think that in these special cases God’s intervention will be communicated to us – in some definite way. What’s your view?

In summary, I believe that prayer is the best way to manage self-induced illness because the prayer of righteous people invites God’s searching light into the matter – so that the real cause of the illness can be addressed.

Any comments?