January 17,1998
Dear Br. Marvin:
Good evening, brother. I trust that you and your wife are in good health and spirits, praising the Lord for His wonderful works and love for you. There is nothing that the Father wouldn’t give to achieve your salvation. His aspirations, concerning you and your wife, are infinitely greater then any fond parent for their new born baby.
When writing to men, especially those whom I have not talked with
recently, I can only write in generalities, trusting the Lord
to shape my thoughts and words in such a fashion that they will
be uplifting and encouraging to you or other men to whom I write.
There are only a certain number of experiences common to humanity
that transcend time, place, and culture. A careful observer of
human nature could probably catalogue all of them. One of these
experiences is boredom. I wonder how many men, and women choose
to work long hours in an endeavor to counter this common experience.
To combat apathy, many turn to television, sex, drugs, alcohol,
gambling, and even a few to ecstatic religious experiences, all
seeking for something outside of themselves to resolve this feeling.
Indifference, like depression can be debilitating and is a weapon
in Satan’s arsenal to prevent us from doing the good God
desires from each of us. At its root, this emotion, is based in
selfishness or self-gratification. “I am bored” is a
statement indicative of self.
While I haven’t searched into this question, I wonder if
things are boring or if I am boring. It is often said that this
book, television program, movie, class, worship service, or job
is boring, but I seriously doubt any of these things, in and of
themselves, are boring, for tedium is a human emotion derived
from dissatisfaction.
Only a limited amount of time is granted us in which to live our
lives and lean of Christ. If Satan can cut short our lives, through
death, or listlessness, he has denied our usefulness to Christ.
By distracting us, through doldrums, depression, or sinful diversions
or pleasures, the good we could have done today, is forever beyond
our reach.
A dull spirit can be fought, but it takes the grace of Christ
to inspire us to action for these emotions are debilitating and
if not conquered will destroy our usefulness. But Christ gives
grace sufficient for the day.
If we find ourselves inflicted by Satan with boredom, depression,
sadness, or a listless attitude, it often helps to talk to another
person, asking for prayer, however, our choice of confidants should
be such as to inspire hope and confidence in the Lord. Failing
this, Christ is always ready to listen.
Satan will often discourage us from praying during these times,
for he knows that his enemy has resources sufficient to meet our
every need. The very thought that Christ won’t listen to
our petitions is the best evidence that His ears are open to our
pleas for help.
Satan uses the negative or down emotions to discourage and dishearten,
to dampen our spirits, to darken our pathway that we may not see
the glory all around us, and seeing it, be inspired to shake off
this lethargy and renew our confidence in the Lord to do the works
Christ has assigned for us today.
Aptly are these emotions described as “dark,” for they
originate with the prince of darkness. But the scripture is true,
“resist the devil and he will flee from you, draw nigh to
God and he will draw nigh to you.
If you are a dedicated Christian, which I believe you to be, then
you have often encountered the prince of darkness and felt his
hellish shadow thrown athwart your pathway. It is a common experience
of all those who walk with the Lord. We ought to rejoice when
persecuted for our faith, but we should also take courage when
down cast with the comfort that Christ endured all these and greater
for our sake.
The best antidote to apathy is the same for depression, sadness,
listlessness or any of the other multitudinous negative feelings,
do something good for someone else. In giving to others, we are
blessed. One cannot remain downcast while receiving Christ’s
blessing and grace.
Activity for others, my dear brother, is the antidote, not prescription
drugs, excessive work, entertainments, etc. This is the prescription
of the twice blessed. When we bless others, we receive a blessing
from the Lord, this is why Christ went about doing good.
Think not that Christ was not beset with tedium and its cousin,
depression. Fight the good fight of faith, and these enemies will
flee from you. Be courageous in your battle with the Lord, you
shall yet come off more then conqueror.
Be strong and courageous in the Christian warfare, though the
conflict be severe and close, Christ is by your side directing
the forces of light to aid you in the battle, but you must make
the first advance for victory to be yours. If we wait for circumstances
or others, we will certainly fail. Christ eagerly awaits our first
advance step that he may supply the energy and grace necessary
for the second step. (This is not true in the case of salvation,
for He takes the first step in searching for us, however, in resisting
Satan’s dark forces, ours is to advance, confident that he
is strengthening us every step of the way.)
May God continue to bless you in your Christian warfare, be the
battle ever so severe. I have faith in you that you will be victorious
in the conflict with Satan for Christ stands with you, strengthening
and sustaining your every advance step. Be of good courage, you
are not alone. Fight on, brother, thou shall yet receive the crown
of glory placed upon your head by Christ, himself.
Your brother in the Christian warfare.