Challenges in life happen.  In this chapter Madeleine’s friend, Annie, die.  Her helper, Claude,leaves Parrot’s Bay without an explanation. Madeleine tries to embrace the imposed solitude, and deal with her grief by throwing herself into her work.But emotional exhaustion overrule.  She gives way to feelings of anger at Annie for her dying, at Claude for abandoning her, at herself for strong feelings of loneliness, which she hadn’t faced before.When I feel out of control because of the problems in my life, emotions run rampant through me.  I can feel rage one minute, despair the next, followed by exhaustion, and weak efforts to “suck it up” and distract myself with work.  Does this happen to you too?When I am in a terrible spot I consider two solutions.  First, I remember who I am. This is a psychological strategy for dealing with life’s junk. I recall what I was like, and what I felt like before the mess occurred.  I think back to other “bad times” and how I made it through them. And I confirm the fact that “this too shall pass”, and I’ll “be okay soon.”Second, I ask Jesus for help.  On p. 239 Madeleine tells us that as she read the Bible a “strange, new freedom settled on me. . .  getting to know Jesus was a delight and a source of fulfillment.”Asking Jesus for help boils down to my seeing the “bad times” as a faith test. What is a faith test, you ask?Simply put: It is a test of whether my faith in Jesus will carry me through this mucky, yucky time.

Author’s Tidbit:

When I was in college, I loved getting the questions to the test ahead of time.  It was even better when my professor actually gave us the correct answers before the test.  When that happened I did great on the test.

I want you to succeed in your faith tests.  So – dear Reader – I am giving you the answers to our faith tests questions.  Actually these are more rules of engagement in the midst of difficulty. 

Rule 1.  If I do not have an attitude of faith (which is likely), I have fallen into sin.  (Rom. 14:23)

Rule 2. Because I am sinning, I confess my lack of faith to God, and thank Him for cleansing me.  (1 John 1:9)

Rule 3.  Once I’m cleaned out, I breathe in Holy Spirit’s power and claim His fruit and wisdom to face the test.  (Eph. 5:18b)

Rule 4. Ignoring my feelings, I thank God for the faith test and praise Him in its midst.  (Most often I do this step through gritted teeth, a sacrifice of praise from my lips.)  (1 Thes. 5:18; Heb. 13:15)

Rule 5.  I open the Manual on Spiritual Battles, and refresh my mind.  I review the ploys of Satan, my “weak spots”, lessons I’ve learned in the past, and what equipment I need for this battle. (1 Peter 5: 8-9; Eph.6)

Rule 6.  I pick up my sword, which is the Word of God, and read it. This Word’s praise and power defeat the enemy.  (Rev. 12:10)

Rule 7. The Word and prayer are now fueling my flickering ember of faith.  So now I wait until it bursts into flames.  (1 Peter 5:10)

So this day’s test makes FAITH GROW in me, and that is what living for the Lord is all about.  (2 Cor. 10:15)

Up Next: Friday's blog post on Chapter 24!

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