Transitory Psychosis

Now might be a good time to get into the rehab business, helping people put their lives back together and deal with their addictions–real and perceived. I noticed a teaser on a magazine cover at the drug store checkout: “Jesse James Goes to Rehab.” Apparently after being caught cheating on his wife, Sandra Bullock, James has decided he needs rehabilitation. He joins a long list of celebs that have done stints in rehab.

Most notably in recent months, Tiger Woods has spent some time in rehab trying to put his life back together after his sexcapades were exposed. Last week, Tiger was back on the links at the Masters making some amazingly good (and bad) shots and scowling his way around the course. At a tee on Saturday, Tiger was so frustrated by his drive that he blew up, spouting profanities. The announcer said, “Well, at least one thing hasn’t changed.”

Now I’m not trying to say rehab is all a scam. I know some people who have been helped through rehab programs. Neither am I saying that once a person goes through rehab we should expect him to behave perfectly from then on. Habits of all kinds are hard to break, I know. So I’m not criticizing Jesse or Tiger or anyone else.

I do find it interesting though that in so-called “post-Christian America,” rehab has become a means of rebuilding a public image. There was a time when people would “get religion” in order to accomplish that end. Years ago, people might be photographed going to church after their misdeeds had been exposed. Sometimes it smelled phony and probably was. The same thing is true of rehab today.

The sad thing to me is that both approaches miss the one ingredient that can truly change a life forever–a genuine personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Rehab can certainly help you cope with a life out of control. It may even been a successful means of breaking free from a self-destructive habit. But it cannot bring about the inner change that comes from a personal relationship with God through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. That is a change that will last for eternity.

The evidence of Christ’s ability to transform a life is plentiful and exhibits abound. From the apostle Paul who went from a Christ-hater to a Christ-follower to my friend Gene who went from a drunken patron of the rescue mission to a pillar of his church and community. Tiger can change. So can Jesse. So can you. But I’m convinced that change requires a fundamental “rewiring” of the soul found only in Jesus Christ.

Perhaps the most difficult funerals I’ve conducted as a pastor have been for individuals who have committed suicide. Some of the deceased carried out the act in a very well-planned careful manner designed to spare loved ones the worst, complete with a detailed note. Others seemed to make the decision in a split moment, the result of a quick response to an overwhelming moment. At least one took his life in a way that it seemed an intentional effort to cause as much hurt and pain to the survivors as possible.

It’s difficult to know what to say when a person takes his or her life. It is most often a decision borne of despair–the conclusion that things will never be different or never get better. Among Christians, the often unspoken question is did the deceased go to heaven or hell? Answering that question is impossible. Here’s why:
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(The final installment)

In previous posts, we’ve seen that God has a plan for our pain.

First, to display His works. Sometimes through healing (John 9:1-3). Sometimes by giving us grace to deal with the situation as it is (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

Second, to be a catalyst for ministry. Our pain gives us an opportunity to minister to others (2 Cor. 1:3, 4). Our pain also gives others an opportunity to minister to us (Rom 12:15).

There is a third purpose for our pain: To teach us of God’s love.
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(Continued from posts on 3-11 and 3-12)

As I discussed in the previous post, God allows pain to enter our lives to display His glory–sometimes through healing us, sometimes through giving us grace to deal with it.

A second reason God allows our pain is to be a catalyst for ministry. This reason also has two facets.
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(Continued from Part 1-3-11-08. Read that post first for the whole context.)

God has a plan for our pain. He may not be the author of our pain, but He is Lord over it. There is a measure of comfort in those words. But the fact remains, God doesn’t answer all our questions. In my life with MS, each loss–big or small–has left me wondering why.

When my kids were embarrassed because their friends thought I was a drunk since I staggered and stumbled.

When I realized I couldn’t visually track a Ping Pong ball anymore.
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Let me introduce my friend. Officially, we met 15 years ago, but we’ve actually known each other since the early 1980s. Honestly, my friend is rude and pushy and I’d rather not hang out with him, but he insists on it. His name: multiple sclerosis. Most people just call him, MS.

MS is a neurological disease causing fatigue, tingling and numbness in the extremities, imbalance, vision problems, speech difficulties, sensitivity to heat and cold, and other symptoms you don’t want to know about. There are several types of the disease:
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