To think of all the blunders we come across in life…
Recently, Steve Irwin, the “Crocodile Hunter”, was killed in a ‘freak act of nature’. A friend told me about his pastor who committed adultery and how troubling it is for him and his congregation. Then there was a wedding where the couple’s pastor did not come to the wedding (I don’t know why) and one of the elders of the church did not greet me (I know him from the church…) Then there are the continual threats of nuclear and even more conventional wars etc. and Chesterton and Lewis as Christian scholars. Sigh.
What does life dish out? How do we handle it?
One thought is the word “cope” — a popular dictionary defines this as “to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success — used with with OR to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties”.
Another thought is the word “hide” — “to put out of sight OR to conceal for shelter or protection; OR to keep secret;OR to screen from or as if from view; OR to turn (the eyes or face) away in shame or anger”
Yet another thougth is the word “flee” — “to run away often from danger or evil OR to hurry toward a place of security; OR to pass away swiftly OR transitive verb : to run away from”
Hmmm… I believe all of us do these types of behavior at certain times in our lives. Some cope, hide or flee better than other folks do; some cope, hide or flee more frequently than others. Some cope in a positive way, others negatively. All face the decision at some point.
I also believe that psychology and therapeutic environments today tend to point us to ways of coping. Coping methods. A positive way to cope with our struggles. Thousands of articles help certain people with the understanding that they do not have control over their surroundings, so they must deal with the pressure, pain or problem in some manner.
Some might even say that “common sense” or “conventional wisdom” are ways to deal with life and its difficulties.
I am compelled to handle life because it is all I have. All the blunders that come my way must be faced and confronted. There is no way to get around, cope with, hide or flee from the blunders. No way at all.
How though?
