Sutra 16
The pains which are yet to come can be and are to be avoided.
I believe I touched a lot on this sutra in Sutra 15. By choosing to stay focused on what is important, us living moral and virtuous lives. Living and meditating on God and his commandments as the Bible instructs. We can and do follow God’s directions better I believe. This does not mean we will not experience hardship or sorrowful events in our lives, or experience blessings and easy times. However, as we practice this contemplation and stay connected to God all these exterior happenings do not affect us as they would someone without Jesus, someone that is not consciously living for Christ, in tune with God’s commands. So to avoid pains that are yet to come, we have to pick up our cross and walk with it daily. Since “a man’s steps are directed by the Lord” Proverbs 20:24 the only way to avoid undue pains is to listen with a quiet sober heart, mind. This may mean we have to at times give up instant pleasures and walk down the road less traveled while loving your neighbor as yourself and letting God be the judge.
For the sake of this study, the Bible agrees with this Sutra, but we can not overcome the obstacles without first training ourselves to be aware of God word at all times.
2 Peter 1:3 says “that as we grow in our knowledge of God, through his divine power he gives us everything we need for life and godliness. Jesus relied on the Word of God alone to overcome obstacles, including the devil. God’s Word is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), useful for correcting us when we are wrong and teaching us what is right (2 Timothy 3:16). So, it makes sense for us to carry God’s Word in our hearts through memorization, to be ready to face any problem, every difficulty, and whatsoever challenge that life can send our way. Which would help us to experience less pain and more peace, even during painful trials in our lives.
Here is another example from 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV) of how God is the avoidance of pain rather than making them go away… “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
