JoeWalshe

I have been researching this subject and discussing it with many Baha'is. It's not a simple question but I will try to be as clear and short as possible.

we all have tests from time to time and we are told in the writings that tests help us grow and develop. That makes sense and is fine.
So let's suppose you get a serious test. You are in business and one disaster follows another. People can't pay you, no new clients, bills mounting. You are doing your utmost to survive but the problems seem to keep coming. You pray fervently for help but things remain dismal.
Now, does God, in this or similar situations, help us by allowings things to get better in a material sense. For example you get a new client or opportunity.
or
Does God not interfere in life's difficulties but gives us the strenght to endure.

I could go on and on but essentially this question has me intriqued.

Views and opinions much appreciated. Even suggested reading would be good.

WTTL

I can't answer your question, but here are some quotes from 'Abdu'l-Bahá:
More to read: 'Abdu'l-Bahá on Suffering and Tests

Pollwr

I think it is good to pray during difficulties. In my own limited experience I do not think that this will necessarily lead to a change in circumstances but there is a very real possibility that it will help me find the inner strength to deal with the problem. Sometimes there are opportunities in crisies that can only be found whe we are in the right frame of mind and open to them. Prayer can help us with that. Sometimes we may think we want an different opportunity, such as business sucess, than the one offered, such as personal growth. Prayer can help us to gain perspective and calm.

Also, being Omnipotent, if it is the Will of God, He could change things in the way often prayed for. In His infinite Wisdom, He doesn't as much as we ask Him to!

JoeWalshe

Thanks guys.
WTTL, I followed the link to Abdul Baha's writings on the subject and found them fascinating. Havn't read all yet but some in particular are very interesting.

Pollwr; I agree but the question still mystifies me. When, if ever, does God ease the difficulties or open doors and when does God allow lifes tests to help us grow - in every way.

the more I think and read about it the more I see that it would be agreat injustice not to test people. People born into a life of ease and comfort would not benefit from growth if they were not tested.

JoeWalshe

Rest assured in the protection of God. He will preserve his own children under all circumstances. Be ye not afraid nor be ye agitated. He holds the scepter of power in his hand, and like unto a hen he gathereth his chickens under his wings. "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to keep silent and a time to speak." Now, friends, this is the time of assurance and faith and not fear and dread.

God alone ordereth all things and is all-powerful. Why then does He send trials to His servants?

The trials of man are of two kinds. (a) The consequences of his own actions. If a man eats too much, he ruins his digestion; if he takes poison he becomes ill or dies. If a person gambles he will lose his money; if he drinks too much he will lose his equilibrium. All these sufferings are caused by the man himself, it is quite clear therefore that certain sorrows are the result of our own deeds.

(b) Other sufferings there are, which come upon the Faithful of God. Consider the great sorrows endured by Christ and by His apostles!

Those who suffer most, attain to the greatest perfection.

...Tests are benefits from God, for which we should thank Him. Grief and sorrow do not come to us by chance, they are sent to us by the Divine Mercy for our own perfecting.

While a man is happy he may forget his God; but when grief comes and sorrows overwhelm him, then will he remember his Father who is in Heaven, and who is able to deliver him from his humiliations.

Men who suffer not, attain no perfection. The plant most pruned by the gardeners is that one which, when the summer comes, will have the most beautiful blossoms and the most abundant fruit.

The labourer cuts up the earth with his plough, and from that earth comes the rich and plentiful harvest. The more a man is chastened, the greater is the harvest of spiritual virtues shown forth by him.9

The above 2 quotes from 'Abdu'l Bahá are particularly enlightening.

My current financial crisis deepens by the day. I am under severe pressure to juggle bills, borrowings and meagre income. At what point do the tests ease up and God step in to help? Or are all my problems my own doing and therefore not worthy of help?
The original question remains. Does God allow us to have tests so that we will grow by overcoming them? Or does God help us by eliminating tests or opening doors to solutions when we pray?

arthra

I think of the following quote when I consider my life and vicissitudes.

"Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity".

~ Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 93

Also the comment by Baha'u'llah that we are to regard the world in importance as the black in the eye of a dead ant..


Rejoicest thou in that thou rulest a span of earth, when the whole world, in the estimation of the people of Baha, is worth as much as the black in the eye of a dead ant? Abandon it unto such as have set their affections upon it, and turn thou unto Him Who is the Desire of the world.

~ Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 86

JoeWalshe

Thank you for that arthra.

It still doesn't answer the original question;
Does God give practical assistance in times of tests or gives us the strnght to overcome difficulties? Or a bit of both?

My current thinking is that, when in trouble or difficulty we should;
1. Pray for guidance and assistance.
2. Take action, confident in our success.
3. Keep striving irrespective of what other new difficulties arise.

The more hardship and strife you overcome the better person you will have become.

God, then, maybe assists us with both inner strength and by paving the way to success. But only if we arise to act.

Staying in bed all day and praying for career success isn't going to work.

I have read much on this subject but am still very keen to learn more and hear from others around the Globe.

CK9

Some more quotes:

"I swear by My life! Nothing save that which profiteth them can befall My loved ones. To this testifieth the Pen of God, the Most Powerful, the All-Glorious, the Best Beloved." - Baha'u'llah

"Let not the happenings of the world sadden you. I swear by God! The sea of joy yearneth to attain your presence, for every good thing hath been created for you, and will, according to the needs of the times, be revealed unto you." - Baha'u'llah

"O my servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes. You are destined by Him, in this world and hereafter, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to obtain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain." - Baha'u'llah

JoeWalshe

Gretaly appreciate that CK9. I do not remember reading the first quote, so that was particularly comforting.

I read this in this morning's prayer. It's from one of the prayers for morning;
Thou art He Who changeth through His bidding abasement into glory, and weakness into strength, and powerlessness into might, and fear into calm, and doubt into certainty. No God is there but Thee, the Mighty, the Beneficent.

Thou disappointest no one who hath sought Thee, nor dost Thou keep back from Thee anyone who hath desired Thee. Ordain Thou for me what becometh the heaven of Thy generosity, and the ocean of Thy bounty. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the Most Powerful.
Bahá’u’lláh

The thing is I can handle a large amount of trouble and strife myself. My fear is that my present financila difficulties (which continue to worsen day by day) will effect my wife and children in that I cannot pay next weeks school fees, rent, money for food, no entitlement to Govt. support as self employed etc. etc.

People around me are amazed I am able to cope but I do believe we are only tested to our absolute limits. And that these tests are for our growth. I am doing everything in my power to find a solution and working long hours. But ultimately I feel I have to rely on God's mercy for a solution or a positive outcome.

Incidentally, I find writing this down helpful.

JoeWalshe

"To attain eternal happiness one must suffer. He who has reached the state of self-sacrifice has true joy. "

"Be not in despair, but rather smile by the mercy of your Lord; and be not sorrowful when meeting with worldly difficulties and depressions, for they pass away - and thine shall be immortality during ages and centuries, times and cycles."

Read the above quotes today. Anyone reading this thread may find them interesting.

Pollwr

JoeWalshe, I am including you in my prayers.

JoeWalshe

appreciate that greatly.

'Let deeds, not words be your adorning'