Is Good Really Good?

I recently had a conversation with a person who was struggling with some of the challenges of life.  There had been a serious illness, serious financial setbacks, and the garden variety issues that would be considered bumps in the road. We typically talk about good things in terms of how it makes me feel and how it makes my day.  It usually means going the way I want things to go, getting what I want, not having any problems or difficulties. Life is just good

The problem with ‘good’ is that nothing very important or ‘good’ comes out of ‘good’.  What I mean by that is I don’t grow or mature or get better if there are no challenges or difficulties.  If everything is going along smoothly and I don’t come up against an obstacle or struggle; I get complacent, rest on my laurels, kick back and coast.  That is okay for a little while but sooner or later I am going to be on the shelf, in a rut, and not growing anymore. 

 

            Ignatius of Loyola taught about consolation and desolation.  These concepts are profound and give us a new paradigm to see what is really good.  Ruth Haley Barton has a great definition for both “Consolation is the interior movement of the heart that gives us a deep sense of life-giving connection with God, others and our authentic self. Desolation is the loss of a sense of God’s presence; indeed, we feel out of touch with God, with others and with our authentic self. It might be an experience of being off-center, full of turmoil, confusion or even rebellion.  

         How I see my circumstances is so much more important than the circumstances themselves.  God uses all circumstances in my life to mold and shape me.  I can choose to be pliable like clay allowing his hands to push and move me the way he chooses.  An alternative approach I can resist and be like granite and  require chisel and hammer to chip and break me into what he desires for me.  Which way will you choose? The easy way or the hard way?