7. How I receive “involuntary disciplines,” that is the unplanned events of my life, will determine how they transform me, whether for good or not.

(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.) 

When trials and difficulties come into your life, do you look for someone to blame? Explain.

What kind of pain is most difficult for you; physical (body), emotional (stress, unmet expectations), or relational (conflict)?

Have you ever experienced something painful that you now realize has produced something good in you? Give at least one example of this.

As you reflect on some of these painful situations, can you imagine where, or how, Jesus was at the time? What did His face show you?

As you think about the above statement, how would you describe the posture or attitude you would like to have when you encounter pain? Write it down if you can. Share it with Jesus as a prayer of desire.

Spiritual disciplines are the actions that we initiate, with the help of the Spirit, to train our bodies and minds for Christlike living. But there are many other opportunities that can help train and transform us if we will let them. These uninvited events of life, which can be called “involuntary disciplines,” have just as much potential for our transformation as the disciplines we choose intentionally.

It is important that we prepare ourselves for these uninvited and often unwanted events of life, otherwise we will miss the opportunity for transformation. The question I try to ask myself in these situations, these trials and tribulations, is “are they my friend or my enemy?” If I treat them as an enemy, I will usually try to rid myself of them as quickly as possible. But

if I can see them as an opportunity--as a friend that has something to offer me--I will often learn something and benefit from the experience. So, how do we prepare ourselves? First, we must include God’s Spirit in our response to the situation. Inviting Jesus to speak to us, through His Spirit, about the situation is always the first and best response. Next, it can be helpful to separate ourselves from the situation by remembering that what we really are dealing with is our response to the situation, not the situation itself.

Although we may not have control over the situation, we can control our response to it. This response not only includes our potential action, but more important, it includes how we feel about the situation. Our anxious, fearful, or offended feelings will affect our response and our future. But if we can hear Jesus say, “Don’t be afraid”, “Don’t feel anxious,” “I am with you,” “You are safe with me,” etc. we can experience peace in the midst of the situation.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that we can be poor and still feel blessed; we can even be persecuted and still feel blessed. In other words, despite an unwanted situation, we can still experience joy, peace, contentment, and so on.

We will always have unwanted events in our life, and nothing will keep us from them—they’re unavoidable. But we can prepare ourselves to respond to these situations, and when we do, we will grow and be transformed.