1999-09-26. Adversity
Woods Cross #255
Topic: Perceiving Adversities
Group: Woods Cross TeaM
Teacher: Abraham
TR: Nina
Opening
ABRAHAM: I am ABRAHAM. Welcome. How I am changed by knowing you. How I am filled with inspiration each time we meet. I am in complete understanding of your mortal state and I know the difficulties. Mortal life brings some hardships which are difficult enough when you are made to go without proof of spiritual reality. I find you each to do well in your mortal state. I am uplifted by your courage to carry on.
Lesson
Mortal living can bring many disappointments and crushing blows to the spirit. A man may perceive his adversities to be a chastisement from God. He may believe he has somehow earned his misfortune. He wonders what could he have done to deserve such adversity. What could he have done different? How could he turn the tables in his favor? How might he escape this bitter reality? A man with this outlook is likely to become greatly discouraged, embittered and hopeless. His perception is narrowed to fit his one dimensional thinking. This thinking recruits the spirit poisons, and difficulties that were not that bad, are now made worse.
Another man who has also experienced life’s brutal difficulties may look to his Father and ask, what is the meaning of this, Father? This faithful man may perceive this to be a lesson in acquiring spiritual fruits. He knows in his mortal state his difficulties are only landmarks upon his eternal path. His difficulties are stepping stones to higher learning. His broad vision allows him to go beyond the ego to an overall good that serves everyone. This man is observant in watching Father work within his problems. Using the stillness mind he is open for Father’s suggestions and solutions. This man can perceive his difficulties without fear or unknowing or loneliness, for Father has promised His assistance.
In learning to remain steadfast in faith and persevere through difficulties, it is important that you perceive your mortal life as if you are standing at the beginning of all eternity–because this is so. These mortal problems that plague you today are exercises in which you become strengthened by, to advance spiritually. There is not an escape, you see. There is not a way to advance without having these experiences which strengthen those spiritual muscles.
In learning to carry on one must be aware of how you perceive your difficulties. Is Father the cause of your difficulties? No. Is He available to show them to be valuable? Yes. Is He showing them to be with meaning? Yes. Is mortal difficulties a frown from Heaven or a lesson in spiritual advancement? Yes, it’s all in how you perceive your difficulties. You stand at the beginning of eternity. Expand your vision and embrace the entire view. Do not cheat yourself by decreasing the view to ego size or allowing the spirit poisons to make worse what is already seemingly bad. Yes.
In the midst of your difficulties, what can you do to repel the spirit poisons, like self-pity, anger, or depression from setting in? Certainly worship and prayer are extremely helpful. Stillness time is a wonderful asset of course, yes. To be observant though refrains you from acting out–using those spirit poisons. Being watchful, as if you were beside yourself, is a benefit that the Master used quite often.
Jesus when confronted with adversity did not scream out in panic or make foolish and rash decisions, no. He stopped and consulted with Father–what is the meaning of this? How can I endure through this? It is difficult I know to be patient in these trials, but to act upon feelings of anxiety only draws you closer to those spirit poisons.
In your practicality can you be faithful that Father will show you how to make good use of your adversities? He can show you how to take those feelings of despair or anxiety and put them to work in a spiritual way. Can you perceive your adversities as stepping stones to higher learning? Can you broaden your vision to perceive an overall picture of Father’s plan? Can you be beside yourself and be observant? The mastering of these techniques will surely lead you to understand the true meaning of strength and endurance.
The Master’s difficulties on many occasions left Him in great emotional distress. Of course, there was His divine stamina ever standing by, but on many occasions His human heart felt that destructive torture that every mortal must experience. Was He emotional at times? Yes, of course. Did this serve Him? Yes, certainly. It was a release of His human will towards embracing His divine will.
Your emotions are for a reason; hide them not. Allow them to release and know that there is not a tear that you can cry that Father does not know the meaning of, yes. The spiritual lessons are not mandatory, no, but there is no escape from them either. Even the Master experienced great emotional release in the laying down of His will to taking up the Father’s.
Be not afraid to discuss with one another these mortal trials. Be not afraid to allow your emotions to release the human will to aligning with the Father’s. When you become comfortable with the divine will then your trials are not so big, not so overwhelming. You can find strength from that source within, the source of all strength. You can master your difficulties and not be enslaved to them when you are in alignment with Father’s will and wholeheartedly willing to drink the cup.
This week I ask that you find a bit of time to write your thoughts on where you stand concerning this lesson. Are you like the first man or more like the second? Is your vision broadened to see eternity? Can you not react in a rash manner without first being observant and waiting upon the will of the Lord? The working out of your human thoughts may take some time alone with Father. To be emotional is not weakness, but a slow transformation of will, yes. That is all.
Closing
I am ever growing each week in love for you. I should be happy to visit with you during the week. In your observance look for me and I should be happy to assist you with your questions. Until next week, shalom.
