Embracing Growth Through Life's Spiritual Ups and Downs
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves grappling with the paradox of spiritual growth through suffering. Many of us have experienced that our deepest spiritual growth occurs during our hardest times, yet we naturally strive to avoid pain and hardship. This paradox raises a profound question: Should we seek out suffering to grow spiritually? The answer is no. It would be masochistic to desire pain. However, we can learn to value the growth and development that come from enduring suffering when it inevitably arrives.
Life is not a constant upward trajectory of happiness and spiritual highs. C.S. Lewis, in "The Screwtape Letters," introduces the concept of the "law of undulation," which describes the natural ebb and flow of our spiritual and emotional lives. As humans, we are both spirit and body, and our experiences will naturally oscillate between peaks and troughs. Expecting every day to be better than the last sets us up for frustration and disappointment. Instead, we should embrace the reality that God often uses the troughs to shape us into people of character, perseverance, and hope.
Scripture supports this understanding. Romans 5 and James 1 encourage us to find joy in trials because they produce perseverance, character, and hope. This doesn't mean we should seek out suffering, but rather, we should welcome the growth it can bring. Life presents us with daily challenges, from minor inconveniences to significant trials. Instead of becoming grumpy or resentful, we can choose to see these as opportunities to invite God into our lives and witness His goodness.
The key is to shift our focus from seeking experiences to making contributions. When we worship God and seek to serve Him, we find gratitude, goodness, and meaning. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:34 that each day has enough trouble of its own. We don't need to manufacture suffering; life will provide enough challenges. Our task is to bring these to God and allow Him to work in us, producing goodness and growth.
Key Takeaways:
1. Spiritual growth often occurs during difficult times, but we should not seek out suffering. Instead, we can learn to value the growth that comes from enduring hardship when it arrives. This perspective helps us embrace the reality of life's ups and downs. [01:16]
2. The "law of undulation" teaches us that life is a series of peaks and troughs. Expecting constant upward progress sets us up for frustration. Embracing the natural rhythm of life allows us to grow through both highs and lows. [04:21]
3. Scripture encourages us to find joy in trials because they produce perseverance, character, and hope. This doesn't mean we should desire suffering, but we can welcome the growth it brings. [06:45]
4. Daily challenges, whether minor or significant, are opportunities to invite God into our lives. By recognizing and welcoming these challenges, we can see God's goodness and grow spiritually. [08:38]
5. Shifting our focus from seeking experiences to making contributions leads to a more meaningful life. When we worship God and serve Him, we find gratitude, goodness, and purpose. [09:55]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - Introduction to Spiritual Growth
- [01:16] - The Paradox of Pain and Growth
- [02:18] - Unrealistic Expectations
- [03:14] - C.S. Lewis and the Law of Undulation
- [04:21] - Peaks and Troughs in Life
- [05:15] - Avoiding Frustration
- [06:09] - God's Use of Troughs
- [06:45] - Scripture on Suffering
- [07:30] - Embracing Daily Challenges
- [08:38] - Welcoming Opportunities for Growth
- [09:37] - Contribution Over Experience
- [10:23] - Jesus on Daily Trouble
- [11:07] - Loving the Goodness Produced
- [11:22] - Walking with God in Peaks and Valleys
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 5:3-5
2. James 1:2-4
3. Matthew 6:34
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 5:3-5, what are the outcomes of suffering mentioned by Paul? How do these outcomes relate to spiritual growth? [06:45]
2. In James 1:2-4, what attitude does James encourage believers to have towards trials, and what is the intended result of this perspective? [07:06]
3. How does the concept of the "law of undulation," as described by C.S. Lewis, illustrate the natural rhythm of spiritual and emotional life? [04:21]
4. What does Jesus mean in Matthew 6:34 when He says, "Each day has enough trouble of its own"? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about not seeking out suffering? [10:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the process of developing perseverance, character, and hope through suffering, as described in Romans 5, change a person's perspective on their current challenges? [06:45]
2. What does it mean to "welcome trials as friends," as suggested in James 1:2-4, and how can this mindset impact a believer's spiritual journey? [07:06]
3. How does the "law of undulation" challenge the expectation of constant spiritual highs, and what implications does this have for a believer's faith journey? [04:21]
4. In what ways does focusing on contributions rather than experiences, as discussed in the sermon, lead to a more meaningful life? [09:37]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond, and in what ways could you have invited God into that situation to witness His goodness? [08:38]
2. Identify a current "trough" in your life. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for growth and character development? [06:09]
3. How can you apply the principle of the "law of undulation" to manage your expectations in your spiritual life and avoid frustration? [04:21]
4. Consider a daily inconvenience you often encounter. How can you use this as a chance to practice gratitude and invite God into your day? [08:38]
5. What is one specific way you can focus on making a contribution rather than seeking experiences this week? How might this change your perspective on daily challenges? [09:37]
6. Reflect on Matthew 6:34. How can you practice trusting God with tomorrow's troubles and focus on the present day's challenges? [10:23]
7. Think of a time when you experienced significant spiritual growth during a difficult period. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it inform your approach to future challenges? [01:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Growth Through Hardship
In our spiritual journey, we often encounter the paradox of growth through suffering. While it is natural to avoid pain, it is during these challenging times that we experience profound spiritual development. The key is not to seek out suffering but to value the growth that comes from enduring it when it arrives. This perspective allows us to embrace the reality of life's ups and downs, recognizing that God uses these moments to shape us into people of character and hope. [01:16]
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."
Reflection: Think of a recent hardship you faced. How did it shape your character or deepen your faith? Can you find gratitude for the growth it brought?
Day 2: Navigating Life's Peaks and Troughs
Life is a series of peaks and troughs, as described by C.S. Lewis's "law of undulation." Expecting constant upward progress can lead to frustration and disappointment. Instead, embracing the natural rhythm of life allows us to grow through both highs and lows. By understanding that our spiritual and emotional experiences will oscillate, we can find peace in the journey and trust that God is present in every season. [04:21]
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced a spiritual or emotional trough. How did you see God working in that season? What did you learn about His faithfulness?
Day 3: Finding Joy in Trials
Scripture encourages us to find joy in trials because they produce perseverance, character, and hope. This doesn't mean we should desire suffering, but we can welcome the growth it brings. By viewing challenges as opportunities for spiritual development, we can invite God into our lives and witness His goodness in the midst of adversity. [06:45]
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for growth? What steps can you take to invite God into this situation?
Day 4: Welcoming Daily Challenges
Daily challenges, whether minor or significant, are opportunities to invite God into our lives. By recognizing and welcoming these challenges, we can see God's goodness and grow spiritually. Instead of becoming grumpy or resentful, we can choose to see these moments as chances to deepen our relationship with God and develop perseverance and character. [08:38]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Identify a minor inconvenience you faced today. How can you use this moment to practice patience and invite God into your daily routine?
Day 5: Shifting Focus to Contribution
Shifting our focus from seeking experiences to making contributions leads to a more meaningful life. When we worship God and serve Him, we find gratitude, goodness, and purpose. By prioritizing contributions over experiences, we align our lives with God's will and discover the joy of serving others and glorifying Him. [09:55]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: Think of a way you can contribute to someone else's life today. How can you use your gifts to serve others and glorify God in your daily actions?
Quotes
i'm always drawn closest to christ i grow the most spiritually during my hardest times and this is consistent with what i've been learning in these podcasts yet i make every effort to avoid pain hardship in my life how do i reconcile this should i be seeking out pain and suffering i don't think so [00:00:46]
we tend to know that we grow the most in difficult times i was part of a survey years ago and asked people the question when did you experience most spiritual growth and the number one answer by far wasn't uh through times of teaching or learning or studying it was through pain through suffering [00:01:21]
it would be masochistic to want pain and suffering however it's possible to come to value the kind of growth and development and meaning that enables me to endure when pain and suffering comes and a large part of what this involves is what's realistic for me to expect in my life in my life with god in my spiritual life [00:01:52]
if i expect every day to be better than the day that went before i will be violating a basic tenet or rhythm or law of humanity and spirituality does not allow me to escape the reality of humanity cs lewis wrote a book called the screw tape letters it was in the guise of an older tempter demon writing advice to his younger nephew [00:02:49]
humans are amphibians half spirit half animal as spirits they belong to the eternal world but as animals they inhabit time this means that while their spirit can be directed to an eternal object their bodies passions imaginations are in continual change for to be in time means to change their nearest approach to constancy therefore is undulation [00:03:51]
if my expectation for my life my emotional life my experiences my spiritual life is because i'm seeking to follow god every day will be better than the one that came before i will be setting myself up for frustration i will blame myself for variations that are not actually my fault [00:05:06]
god often relies on troughs more than peaks and some of his special favorites have gone through longer and deeper troughs than anyone else and so i come to value those things and i'm learning about this in my own life not because i want pain not because i want suffering i don't [00:06:08]
there are these remarkable statements in scripture that are true and wise people across time even in different traditions have understood them romans 5 paul's talking about boasting in the hope of the glory of god and then not only that but we also boast in suffering why because i want suffering no nobody in their right mind wants suffering [00:06:30]
when all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your life don't resent them as intruders but welcome them as friends it's that same idea instead of resisting them because you can't make them go away and god has yet to bless anybody except for the situation in which they find themselves [00:07:04]
life actually presents itself to us every day as a series of problems a series of challenges a series of tasks things that i did not want to have happen the internet is down the link to this technology is not working my spouse says something to me that i think is kind of cranky or grumpy [00:07:36]
the alternative is to recognize them and to welcome them because they offer me an opportunity to invite god into my life and see his goodness and i come to expect the law of undulation i have written two very professional graphs here here is what we want in our experiential life [00:08:31]
the main question to ask is not um what experience can i get it's what contribution can i make today see we are tempted constantly to worship our experience to just want uh happiness and pleasure and good circumstances and here's the paradox uh when i follow god when i seek to serve god then gratitude and goodness and meaning and purpose come as well [00:09:37]
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