This is a quote from the book "Streams In The Desert", by Lettie B. Cowman. The quote is speaking honestly about the life of a Christian believer. The book tries to show that in the midst of what seems bad lies things that are good.
When people are having a bad day the tendency is to blame it on someone else or on something else. Cowman, however, seems to assert the "bad" things in life are God's way of preparing us and they serve a purpose that is good for us in the long term. There is also the implication that God knows what is best for us in the long term better than we do.
When we hear the word misfortune we tend to think of it as having "bad luck." Sometimes we wonder why we have to go through certain things in our lives for what seems like such a long time. It can be hard to accept that the Creator of something would know what was good for the created better than the creation would when pain lingers. Part of religion involves recognizing God's transcendence and omnipotence.
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
However, with a new perspective of misfortune, one can think of it as what Cowman refers to as "necessary discipline." Discipline sounds like something negative and something we would try to avoid. In this context it is something that is actually good for us in the long term, although it might involve struggling now. In this sense discipline refers more to things that are preparing you to spend eternity with your Creator in a more meaningful way. Sometimes it can be avoided and sometimes that is not the case. Forever is a long time in almost any context.
The word "discipline" sounds similar to the word "disciple." Following Jesus implied leaving the old self behind and holistically embracing his teachings. Jesus informed his followers they would face hardships on that path and that it would not be easy. One part of being a disciple of Jesus was learning discipline.
If we have confidence that it is something pertinent for our long term well being, then we might be more motivated to try and endure it. For example, would you have a painful surgery if you knew you had to have it done to survive? From one of Saint Paul's epistles we read:
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? - Hebrews 12:7
HARDSHIP
If we believe God is working in this manner it can help give us that confidence. However if we do not have the confidence that it is necessary, then we lose that motivation. There is more than luck operating.
Part of being human is accepting that things inevitably will happen that are not pleasant. Instead of responding with rancor during misfortunes, we can choose a different path to follow. With confidence and the right perspective we can be motivated to take on things and endure hardships.
This adds meaning to life because: It helps show that what one gets out a situation depends on the perspective taken.
Sources: Bible, Streams In The Desert, by L.B. Cowman
Further information about the topic can be found at:
God Disciplines Us By Grace
