My religious struggle — Actualized
My spirit has been awakened — for a long time I struggled with my ability to understand why things happen the way they do. Why bad things happen to good people. Why GOD (our father) allow us to endure so much pain and long-suffering. Today, mainstream television recognized my struggle and brought some perspective.
During season 14 of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, April Kepner (Sarah Drew) found herself in a spiral of emotional turmoil, due to a chain of heart-rending events that resulted in displaced anger and conflicting religious views. Kepner took on a moralist view point, believing that obedience and good deeds are what allots us GOD’s grace. At one point Kepner even stated, “GOD is busy winning a bet with the devil, while we’re forced to suffer with a smile on our face;” making reference to the book of JOB in the Bible. For a long while, Kepner believed that suppressing these feelings was the best course of action, because of the shame that comes attached to being christian and questioning the word of GOD.
Although I am able to identify with Kepner, having taken on similar view points in my ignorance, Rabbi Rigler (Saul Rubinek) made the most compelling points. Are we not to accept the bad from GOD as we are the good? Are we to ignore the fact that suffering is not new to mankind, and that we’re not exempt?
The final scene before Rigler’s death pulled at my heartstrings. He continued to sympathize with Kepner’s ideals, and went on to state the obvious, “Faith wouldn’t be real faith if you only believed when things are good.” It was an exhilarating moment of release for not only her but myself.
It’s tough not being in control of your own life, or knowing how things will pan out; but in the same breath, it feels good to exhale...to let go. Once you have established unwavering faith in GOD, you start to experience his true power to change the trajectory of your life! His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and no matter how dark and twisty your path may seem, he will always light your way. I urge you to decrease on today, so that he may increase. Submit to him and watch the wonders that he will ensue unto you!
Peace&Love,
Amario :-)