 |
| Someone posted this as an example of perfect cuteness. |
Something in an online class reminded me of Luther's spiritual onslaughts. He identified Paul's thorn-in-the-flesh as inward torture rather than a physical malady.
Every good, worthwhile, and productive advance of the Gospel is always countered with spiritual onslaughts. They are a roller coaster of emotions as great things happen and hopes are crushed. The onslaughts may land on someone for no outward reason.
Luther wanted to be alone but knew that the company of others was the best medicine, along with music.
When someone was working on an important book decades ago, she felt weighed down all the time, especially when supposed allies attacked her viciously. They were the worst. She expected that from liberals but not from conservative Lutherans.
I reminded her of what Luther said, that Satan does not want a drop of our blood. Instead, the Opposer attacks our emotions, which is where we are weakest. Something can happen and it deflates our willingness to even approach a project. Someone will say, "If I still felt excited about this project, I could finish. There is not enough coffee to make me feel energetic now."
The mutual consolation of the brethren is one of the Means of Grace listed by Luther. I take that to mean how we speak or write to each other with the leaven of the Gospel. A word, a gift, a message, a conversation about trials and griefs - they all contribute to a life in the fullness of grace.
I know how it feels to be flattened by a child's illness, then two at once. Looking back, those years of agony were also filled with laughter, fun, tiny bits of wisdom gained. They are an always-full collection of joyful memories. Anything can provoke a mention or two. That did not put us another world but the real world, where people live with losses, crushing disappointments, and unjust reverses in their lives.
That is why I often cite Luther's quotation below. I combined roses with tornado damage in Joplin.
