Who Are You Listening To?

Most of us have close confidants who are people we have grown to trust. Because we believe that they love us, we take their advise very seriously.

But should a Christian base her judgement only on their trusted friends opinions? What if their intentions are not pure at that point? What if they are looking out for their own interests?

Job 4:7 Jobs first friend Eliphaz said “Think now, who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?

Jobs friend Eliphaz was implying that Job was not innocent.

Job 8:20 His other friend Bildad says:- “See, God will not reject a blameless person, nor take the hand of evildoers. Bildad his other friend felt that there must be a way that Job is not innocent. Zohar his third friend said; Job 11:14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness reside in your tents. It's no wonder that Job was in such anguish. It was not only the physical wounds filled with pus and extreme pain, but also the spiritual anguish of being blamed. Yet he knew he was innocent. Because of listening to his friends, he ended up quarrelling God.

In the new testament,  suffering is seen as a reserve mainly for those specially loved by Jesus. All his 12 apostles were crucified, except John. Most of the saints, like Agatha, Mariagorretti, Agnes, Carlos Acutis, Alphonsa, were either killed or died after painful illness.

In the new covenant, suffering is not necessarily a symbol of sin, but can be sign of union with Christ. If you want to experience this, and if you truly love Jesus, and truly believe that you are a spouse of the Lord, and so want to be totally united to Jesus, go before the cross, or before the Eucharist,  having purified yourself, and ask for The cross. You will be amazed. So next time you see someone suffering,  do not conclude that it's because of sin. It could be that they asked for it direct from the Lord. Next time you go through suffering without asking, purify yourself, incase you have sinned, and if it doesn't go, then unite yourself with the Lord. Ask for strengthening from the Lord. Infact most saints, like Saint Faustina, in the convent, would experience extreme mistreatment by their superiors and peers. Sister Anna Ali from Eldoret, the Muslim who became Nun, was used by Jesus too through lots of pain. Am sure someone thought it was witchcraft. The saints would ask for the Lord to strengthen them for their calling to pain. So next time your buddies give you advise, especially about painful situation,  crosscheck it with the word of Jesus. The bible. And through meditation,  establish the source.

And even if it was a consequence of your sins, what is it to them? Its between you and Jesus. You are safer with Him.

2 Samuel 24:14 Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress; let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into human hands.”