Doubt was written all over her face. Speaking with a pierced tongue, her question was blunt but honest. "Is the Bible relevant for my life? After all, the Bible is ancient!"
Such questions might reflect the thinking of some people since you will search the scriptures in vain to find it mention of the following chronic problems: Nintendo addiction, road rage, compulsive consumerism, anorexia, or even depression. Although you will not find these mentioned within the Bible or a host of other debilitating characteristics which cripple the lives of people, scripture does address all of these problems and more. For example, consider the following story of "Betty."
At times Betty would find herself feeling a bit down. Long ago she discovered that by going to the mall and shopping she would feel better. With time she developed the coping habit of going shopping whenever she felt depressed in order to perk herself up. Unfortunately, the good feeling would quickly wear off and soon she would be facing that dreaded gloom again.
As the years progressed, the need to shop became more and more frequent. She also discovered that handling her depression in this way created further complications. Financial difficulties grew causing feelings of guilt which eroded her self-esteem leading to an even deeper depression. In order to handle the financial problems, sometimes she would return what she had purchased. But the cycle just seemed to grow worse and nothing short of drugs seemed capable of handling the depression. Her self-esteem plummeted further as she blamed herself for not being better.
While the Bible does not directly address shopping addiction, it's message strikes at the heart of Betty's dilemma offering her freedom from a tortured existence if she will listen, take its message to heart and respond appropriately. Betty's problem, like most of our problems, began long before she felt blue one day. Somewhere along the line, probably while growing up at home or perhaps from other influences such as her peer group or the television, Betty had heard statements, had seen how others behaved and had witnessed decisions being made which led her to believe the lie that her self-worth, purpose and dignity are based upon things of this world. At an early age she began to believe that if she was pretty enough, popular enough, had enough money as well as the right clothes and friends, then she would live a charmed existence filled with happiness. Perhaps her parents even unwittingly contributed to such a belief through their comments and actions. Frankly, although at first she had tried hard to measure up in order to gain this security so she could be happy, in the end her self-evaluation fell far short of the goal ... and her life seemed to unravel as destructive negative thoughts took root.
If Betty is a typical person, she would probably not perceive any connection between being saved by Jesus and her "real life" predicament. But she could not be more wrong. Although she might even attend church and sing songs on Sunday, it is possible that for all practical purposes her life could be centered around serving her own looks, money, fashion and her friendships. Fortunately, there is good news for Betty and the rest of us who have sinned whether it be by worshipping created things more than the Creator or through some other means.
Part of God's message is that Betty is extremely important and she has dignity because she had been made in God's image.(1) Furthermore, although she did not deserve God's love, God loved her so much that he sent Jesus to rescue her from the hopelessness she created by serving the created order.(2) If she will respond to Jesus, God will make her somebody who nothing in this world can destroy!(3) That is, she will possess that most important and secure relationship of all &endash; being a child of God.(4)
Scripture may not address the labels we slap upon modern problems, but its message goes to the root issues for the blight of modern living. The answer is simple but not simplistic. Believe in Jesus. Allow God's message to shape your understanding and your heart. It will change who you are, how you think and feel and consequently what you do.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 2002
(1) Even after Adam and Eve sinned, it remained wrong to kill another human being because God made us in his image. Genesis 9:6
(2) John 3:16; Matthew 6:24; Colossians 3:5; Jeremiah 2:5; Romans 1:22-23, 25
(3) Romans 8:28-39
(4) John 1:12-13; Galatians 2:26-27; Matthew 6:31-34
Other Resources Which May be of Interest:
Escaping Reality? Jesus Allows Authentic Living (The Honest Hourglass)Jesus, I Just Want A Happiness Pill
Our Decisions and Values Create "Life Momentum"