When disappointments pile on
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Reflections
Michael J. Brooks
I learned the story of Giles Corey a few weeks ago. He was one of 20 accused witches who died in Salem, Mass., in 1692.
Corey refused to enter a plea, defying the magistrate, who then ordered his torture. He was strapped to the ground with heavy stones piled on him, increasing until he was crushed to death. He was the only one of the accused not to be hanged.
Similarly, the word the Apostle Paul used in II Corinthians 4, translated “affliction,” literally means “piled on.” In fact, he used four words to graphically describe his plight: afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. Just reading his list is depressing, and perhaps it strikes a familiar chord to some.
We’ve all faced disappointments in life. Maybe a friend betrays us. Or we fail to get admission to the school or the job promotion we wanted. Or maybe we’re spurned by one we thought might be our life’s true love.
Some disappointments, such as health concerns or the deaths of family or friends, are more serious.
When disappointments multiply, we feel the “piling on” Paul addressed. An oft-spoken response is “Why me?” or “What have I done to deserve this?” or “Where is God?”
Some people try to escape disappointment with alcohol or drugs, but these have never offered safe passage.
Sometimes we “screw our courage to the sticking place,” as Lady Macbeth said, and fight the oppression. This can be a good thing. Many social changes came about when angry people fought injustice – think Candy Lightner and MADD or John Walsh and “America’s Most Wanted.” And I’ve heard people say, “I’m going to fight this cancer.”
But fighting can be destructive if we decide to take vengeance and lash out at those who hurt us.
Paul said “we press on” despite afflictions. He persevered in his God-given mission.
He further insisted his difficulties were “momentary light afflictions.” Paul knew that most disappointments don’t last forever, and that we must keep our gaze on eternity when God will bring a worthy conclusion to our struggles.
John Bunyan wrote about two companions, Pilgrim and Pliable, who traveled the road to the Celestial City. Both stumbled into the Slough of Despond. Pliable climbed out and returned to the City of Destruction, but Pilgrim climbed out and continued to the Celestial City.
The lesson is that we all fall into the Slough of Despond at some point. Then we have a choice to make. We give up and turn back, or we commit to endure disappointment, grow stronger and trust God.
Robert Schuller didn’t originate the phrase, but he popularized it in his 1984 book entitled, “Tough Times Don’t Last, But Tough People Do.”
Michael J. Brooks, pastor of Siluria Baptist Church in Alabaster and former Judson College faculty member, writes a weekly faith column. Visit siluriabaptist.com.
