Many centuries ago, a character in history said: “Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.” This simple phrase indicates that, throughout life, we go through difficult moments, some very, very painful, that leave their mark on us, but it is up to us to transform them either into wisdom or bitterness.
Therefore, in this section of Treasures of the Bible, under the topic: What can I do to avoid suffering unnecessarily? Let's analyze the points that teach us to see negative things or bad attitudes or actions, and how we can learn from them without having to suffer, the same as someone else in the past.
Let's look at three points that we can analyze to avoid unnecessary suffering. We find the first in Psalm 119:127.
LET'S READ PSALM 119:127.
That is why I love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold.
In our activity guide we have an image: The Bible, and on the back many riches, represented by gold.
The Psalmist of Psalm 119 is not talking about any gold available, he is talking about fine gold, this man who was talking about this Psalm knew the difference between quality gold, gold that many people could go to great lengths to obtain, just like today.
What would happen to the majority of people who would be asked to choose one of these two things that we see in this picture? What do you prefer, gold or a Bible?
It will be rare for someone to choose the Bible, knowing that gold could benefit us greatly in our days, to get out of debt, to have a more comfortable life, to be able to solve many problems, due to lack of money.
But it's curious, a large number of people who have become very wealthy do not feel satisfied. They try to help others to calm their conscience, to make themselves feel that their life and that of other people are worth it.
But they cannot stop time in their bodies, or a disease that can take their life from one moment to the next, no matter how much money, gold and wealth they have. They are imperfect humans, who sooner or later will die. And what's more, because they have so much wealth they also feel exposed to others harming them to take that material wealth away from them.
It is true, the Bible is a book that gives us good advice, very practical, it comes from God, they have the best knowledge of the universe, but few appreciate it, because they think that it is simply a good book, that we must recognize that it has beautiful teachings. , nice words, but they don't see the long-term effect this has compared to riches.
When one perceives the same as this writer of Psalm 119, that we have enormous benefits from obeying Jehovah, the love and appreciation we feel for him and his rules grows, because he can even save us from taking our own lives prematurely.
And what about extending it into the future forever? The love of money can make someone suffer unnecessarily. Something different is loving God's commandments, it saves us suffering. Let's look at a second point, hating what is bad. This also helps us not to suffer unnecessarily.
LET'S READ PSALM 119:128.
Hence I consider all your instructions correct; I hate every false path.
The last expression that has to do with hating an incorrect, false path, when one thinks of hating what is bad, does not necessarily mean that one has to be negative or pessimistic, but rather it refers to recognizing the damage that certain actions can cause.
Let's think about how many have suffered unnecessarily from having bad company. That person may not have had bad habits, bad customs, but by swimming with someone who did, perhaps they paid undue consequences, unnecessary consequences.
This, the hatred of evil, could be compared to avoiding a contagious disease. If we avoid bad company, it is as if we were vaccinated against spiritual diseases, which sooner or later can complicate our spiritual health and lead to its death. And the Bible is clear, when one has an incorrect practice, sooner or later there will be bad consequences, as Galatians 6:7,8 said.
And what may seem pleasant or pleasant at a certain moment can bring unnecessary lasting consequences for a lifetime, such as contracting an incurable disease, perhaps unwanted children, emotional problems, loss of self-esteem, etc. Something that could be avoided by continuing to appreciate and love the law of Jehovah. Let's see a third help to avoid suffering unnecessarily. Listen to Jehovah and not fall into the same mistakes as the inexperienced.
LET'S READ PSALM 119:130.
The revelation of your words illuminates, gives understanding to the inexperienced.
Let's see now: benefits of following God's laws.
LET'S READ PSALM 119:133.
With your words, make my steps firm; May nothing bad dominate me.
In these verses he makes a contrast, listening to the voice of Jehovah and paying attention to what has happened to the inexperienced, to those who have wanted to direct their lives in their own way, without paying attention to what Jehovah said. And we have countless experiences that appear in the biblical records of people who went through moments of unnecessary suffering.
That is why we must examine those lives to learn from their mistakes, not to imitate them, so that the same thing as them does not happen to us. And when we are prudent and cautious, we can avoid falling into the same traps.
LET'S READ PROVERBS 22:3.
The prudent see the danger and hide, but the inexperienced continue forward and suffer the consequences.
And we could compare our life as a path, a journey, that we want to reach a certain destination and arrive safely, of course. The most practical thing is to listen to the advice of those who have already traveled that path before us, and know what we should avoid and where to go. If we do that, we can avoid many obstacles and unnecessary suffering.
Three good aids to avoid suffering without obligation. That is why it is worth asking ourselves, What things can I do to love Jehovah's commandments more and hate evil more? Without a doubt, it is best to read Jehovah's word, pay attention to what he tells us, listen to his advice, and follow the appropriate direction.
Why should we suffer if we have the option to avoid it? Therefore, to avoid them, let us put biblical principles into practice in our daily lives, and thus we will experience greater peace, joy and satisfaction with the support of Jehovah.
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