Isn’t it strange how differently people deal with adversity? Some people seem to be crushed very easily by the slightest thing against them, and yet others’ defenses seem almost impenetrable: they accept the worst, face it and appropriate the truth about themselves in their very beings. And there are many answers between these two great extremes.

I find this to be a key difference between those who choose the authentic The Christian life and the rest, although Christians do not have a mortgage on this kind of resilience. For Christians, however, faith and surrender means putting all our trust in the hands of God so that he dictates our movements, through prayer and his Word. Why do so many go the wrong way and so often?

This can be explained in many ways, but one theory worth exploring is Control locus. In short, an external locus of control suggests ‘things happen to me’, ‘don’t blame me, it’s not my fault’ and ‘how could I be successful under these circumstances?’ However, an internal locus of control is the opposite: “I failed the test because I didn’t prepare enough,” “I believe the things that happen to me,” and “I know there must be a way to succeed at these things.” circumstances.’

Without going into the psychological theory of Julian B. Rotter (1954) and others, I think we would all agree that having a more internal locus of control, that is, being more responsible for our own role with respect to the impact of things in our lives, it is preferable to having an efficient external locus of control that sees other things and people blamed for our success or failure.

The interesting thing for Christians is this: we need have an appearance of external locus of control. God creates things through his will, and therefore circumstances generally occur because of his will. We attribute things and events to him, or to the devil, purely and simply. There is at least a partial attribution of the spiritual realm.

Where we come in, however, is our response to things that happen in our lives, despite this attribution of God’s activity in the world. At one point we accept it, but if we have an efficient internal locus of control, we are not relying solely on an attribution from the spiritual realm.

Now, it seems clear to me that most people want to blame others for their misfortune. It is insane and deceitful for people to believe this. If we fail, most of the time it’s our fault and no one else’s, at least partially, and we should be able to see that. So we should learn from the mistake if possible. That is a demonstration of internal locus of control: that the person “assumes” ownership, solves problems and then looks for solutions to adverse life situations. Also, if things happen to us and they are unfortunate, and they really have nothing to do with us, we must have the resilience to deal with them; Live to fight another day.

Christians of all peoples should be masters at this craft. They should have been discipled and guided to such an extent that the true gospel message of repentance is firmly rooted, but how few reach this ‘halcyon’ level? It is worrying that many claim to be followers of Christ, and for many years, and still struggle with this elemental factor of faith.

“Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters,” says James, “whenever you face tests, trials, and temptations of many kinds.” (My paraphrase of James 1:2) We should expect them and not be surprised by them. This will help us to assume these ‘assuming’, ensuring that we, as far as possible, can continue with joy with what still lies in wait for us, because we know that the Lord is with us and for us. It is because of him that we can take ownership of all things that come our way. This is not just theory; we must be put into practice. We must resist the party of pity.

The prize given to a predominant and healthy internal locus of control is maturity; faith and personality. It is what others see, and the Spirit of God in us, that is the key. As the writer to the Hebrews suggested: “Let us, then, leave the elementary teachings about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about of baptisms, the laying of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And if God permits it, we will do so.” (Hebrews 6:1-3 NIV) This maturity is hard work, but necessary nonetheless. Let us not avoid our responsibility for the things that occur to us.

Copyright © 2008, SJ Wickham. All rights reserved throughout the world.