Become New with John Ortberg 4. Who Wants Suffering?
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Jun 17, 2021 A reflection on why spiritual growth often comes through life’s hard seasons. Discussion of C.S. Lewis’s law of undulation and the rhythm of highs and lows. Ideas about how valleys shape perseverance, character, and steady hope. Practical advice to treat small daily irritations as practice and to value service over chasing spiritual experiences.
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Growth Happens Most In Suffering
- Spiritual growth often comes most during suffering rather than through teaching or pleasant experiences.
- John Ortberg cites a survey showing pain was the number one reported context for the deepest spiritual growth.
Law Of Undulation Explains Spiritual Ups And Downs
- C.S. Lewis's law of undulation describes human life as repeated peaks and troughs, not steady upward progress.
- Lewis warns that emotional and spiritual richness will alternate with dryness as part of being a temporal creature.
Stop Expecting Constant Spiritual Improvement
- Avoid expecting every day to be better than the last because that expectation causes frustration and misplaced self-blame.
- Ortberg says demanding constant upward experience ignores normal human rhythms and sets you up for disappointment.
