Människan i allmänhet och kristna i synnerhet har en benägenhet att glömma/nedprioritera Herren när livet är smärtfritt och utan problem. Då förlitar man sig gärna på sin egen styrka och kapacitet. Men när svårigheter och livskriser kommer, och insikten om den egna otillräckligheten (eller syndfullheten) ökar, ja då ökar också antalet nyfrälsta och andelen bedjande och bibelläsande kristna.

Vad kan man dra för slutsats av detta? Jo, att det exempelvis inte var någon slump att 1800-talets folkväckelse i Sverige växte fram ur allmän misär (fattigdom, försupenhet, kriminalitet etc.) och att den efterkommande sekulariseringen sedan gått hand i hand med det ökade välståndet. Den här principen har tydliga likheter med Israel i GT, dvs. när judarna blev välsignade och ”feta” glömde de den Gud som hade gett dem allt det goda.

”Grow fat means “to prosper or thrive.” Through Moses, God warned Joshua that, as soon as the Israelites had eaten their fill and begun to grow rich and thrive in the Promised Land, the nation would turn away from the One True God to serve false gods. And because Israel would abandon the Lord, God would allow tragedy into their lives to bring them back to a place of repentance, dependence, and restored covenant relationship (Deuteronomy 31:21).

We can learn much from the Israelites as they grow fat. God told Moses to write the warning in a song for Israel to memorize so it would not be easily forgotten (Deuteronomy 31:19–21). First and foremost, we must remember, in times of plenty, when we are enjoying God’s blessings of prosperity and abundance, not to grow complacent and self-sufficient. We must never forget where our blessings come from (Deuteronomy 8:17–18). God is the source of every good thing (James 1:17). He expects and deserves our loyal love and faithfulness at all times (Deuteronomy 7:6; 10:12; Exodus 34:14). Unfortunately, just like Israel, we all have the fatal inclination to “grow fat” and forget the Lord whenever life is good and we are thriving (Psalm 14:2–3; Isaiah 53:6).” https://www.gotquestions.org/full-and-grown-fat.html

Vad man mer kan konstatera är kristna i sitt fallna men pånyttfödda tillstånd behöver prövningar för att växa och mogna och vara beroende av Jesus. Den Herren älskar den agar han som bekant. Och detta för att vi ska bära mer frukt. Dr. Dennis Rokser om vårt behov av motstånd för att hålla oss nära Honom:

”God allows trials in your life to keep you dependent on Him and growing in grace in order to make you more like His Son. This reminds me of the story about codfish, where, in the northeastern United States, these fish are not only delectable but are a big commercial business. At one point, the supply of such fish could not keep pace with the demand, especially the demand for fresh cod. At first, suppliers would freeze the fish and ship them to various places, but the freezing process took away much of the flavor. So they experimented with shipping the fish alive in tanks of seawater, but this proved to be even worse since it was not only very expensive but by the time of the cod arrived, they were soft and mushy. Finally, one creative person solved the problem with an innovative idea. The codfish were placed into a tank of water along with their natural enemy—the catfish. From the time the cod left the East Coast until they arrived at their western destinations, the catfish chased the cod all over the tank so that the cod were as fresh as they were when they were first caught! There was no loss of flavor and their texture was not adversely affected. If anything, the cod were better than before.

Could it be that God has allowed a catfish in your tank to keep you turning in faith to the Lord and growing spiritually, instead of getting soft, mushy, and flavorless? Can you name the catfish in your tank? Perhaps you live with one of them? Or it is someone you work with whose irritating presence drives you to your knees every day? Isn’t it time to stop the griping, complaining, and pity-party, and start thanking God for the catfish in your tank and how “all things are working together for good” (Rom. 8:28) in your life? Yes, you may ask the Lord to remove your “thorn in the flesh”—Paul did three times (2 Cor. 12:7-8). But be prepared for the Lord to say in essence to you, “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Someone has said that a Christian is like a teabag; he’s not of much use until he’s been through some hot water.” https://www.gracegospelpress.org/how-do-you-grow-spiritually/

Med andra ord ska vi i generell mening välkomna prövningar och glädja oss mitt i våra lidanden (även om det kan vara lättare sagt än gjort många gånger), i alla fall om det inte är uppenbart självförvållat till följd av dumma beslut. Det fanns en anledning till att Gud inte tog bort den välkända törntaggen i Paulus sida, nämligen att han inte skulle ”förhäva” sig och bli självtillräcklig. Detsamma gäller för oss tills den dag då vi får våra syndfria uppståndelsekroppar.