Introduction

It's not uncommon for a terminally ill loved one to become unusually restless or even agitated, but it is often distressing for family and friends to witness.

The depth of such restlessness or agitation varies from patient to patient; in some cases, it can progress to a state known as "terminal restlessness," or "terminal delirium." Recognizing the symptoms can help you learn how to help a loved one who is experiencing them.

Delirium is a complex psychiatric syndrome, also sometimes referred to as organic brain syndrome, confusion, encephalopathy or impaired mental status.

You may notice a sudden change in your loved one's alertness and behavior. This change can sometimes fluctuate over the course of a day, and it usually gets worse at night.

This week’s SSLesson will discuss not so much deeper on the aspect mentioned above but will deal on the spiritual nature and origin of restlessness.

Outline of Study

Outer Restlessness

Inner Restlessness

Egoism

Ambition

Hypocrisy

Getting Rid of Restlessness

Memory Verse

For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work. (James 3:16)

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (ESV)

Prayer Thought

A high standard of purity and nobility of character is set before the Christian, and he can attain to this excellence only through the aid of Christ. But many experience grief, pain, and disappointment, because they are unwilling to fill the humble place which God's providence assigns them, where they will remain unnoticed and unknown. They love the supremacy, and their anxiety leads them to work against their brethren, fearing they will be preferred before them. Envy, malice, jealousy, and distrust are cherished in the heart, and Jesus cannot dwell where these evil traits are entertained. He invites those who are ambitious of preferment to come unto him, and at the foot of the cross of Calvary learn his meekness and lowliness of heart. If any desire high positions of trust, the Lord will lay the burden, not on them, but on those who have tested and proved them, and can understandingly urge them forward. {RH, July 1, 1884 par. 14}

Outer Restlessness

“For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.’” (Matthew 10:35)

History of Great Conflict between Good and Evil

Every manifestation of creative power is an expression of infinite love. The sovereignty of God involves fullness of blessing to all created beings. . . . The history of the great conflict between good and evil, from the time it first began in heaven to the final overthrow of rebellion and the total eradication of sin, is also a demonstration of God’s unchanging love. {CTr 7.3}

Outer Attraction to the Worlds

The more clearly our eyes behold the attractions of the future world, the deeper will be our solicitude for the inhabitants of this world. We cannot be self-centered. We are living in the time of special conflict between the powers of light and those of darkness. Go forth; let your light shine; diffuse its rays to all the world. Christ and the heavenly messengers co-operating with human agencies, will bring the unfinished parts of the work to a perfect whole. Not to fill our place because we love our ease, because we would avoid care and weariness, is not to shine; and how terrible the guilt, how fearful the consequences! {CH 35.3}

Conflict of Light and Darkness Entered Upon Us

Oh, that we might comprehend the love of God, and even to a faint degree take in the compassion that has been manifested toward fallen man! How would we look and live! By beholding Christ man becomes changed and transformed in character from glory to glory. The conflict between light and darkness is entered upon. Look, poor sinner, represented by the lost sheep after whom the shepherd is seeking, look to the cross! . . . In the poor blind man restored to sight by the compassionate Shepherd was one whom the self-righteous Pharisees thought only worthy of . . . hatred (Signs of the Times, Nov. 20, 1893). {LHU 207.5}

History of the World a Conflict Between Hate and Love

Satan's enmity against Christ has been manifested against His followers. The same hatred of the principles of God's law, the same policy of deception by which error is made to appear as truth, by which human laws are substituted for the law of God and men are led to worship the creature rather than the Creator, may be traced in all the history of the past. Satan's efforts to misrepresent the character of God, to cause men to cherish a false conception of the Creator and thus to regard Him with fear and hate rather than with love; his endeavors to set aside the divine law, leading the people to think themselves free from its requirements; and his persecution of those who dare to resist his deceptions, have been steadfastly pursued in all ages. They may be traced in the history of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, of martyrs and reformers.--GC x (1888). {2MCP 524.3}

Consider the following!

“The peace of Christ is not to banish division, but it is to remain amid strife and division […]

Families must be divided in order that all who call upon the name of the Lord may be saved. All who refuse His infinite love will find Christianity a sword, a disturber of their peace.” E. G. W. (Our High Calling, November 18)

Jesus taught that we are not worthy if we love them more than we love Him. Jesus is worthy because He gave everything for us (Rev. 5:9). We are worthy if we choose to follow Him above everything.

There may be conflict between our close ones and us if they do not make the same decision and try to separate us from Jesus. Then, “a man’s enemies are the men of his own household.” (Micah 7:6)

Inner restlessness

And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? (Luke 12:13-14)

Gift of Christ Reveals the Father’s Heart

The history of the great conflict between good and evil, from the time it first began in heaven to the final overthrow of rebellion and the total eradication of sin, is also a demonstration of God's unchanging love.

The gift of Christ reveals the Father's heart. {FLB 59.6}

By beholding Christ man becomes changed and transformed in character from glory to glory. The conflict between light and darkness is entered upon. Look, poor sinner, represented by the lost sheep after whom the shepherd is seeking, look to the cross! . . . In the poor blind man restored to sight by the compassionate Shepherd was one whom the self-righteous Pharisees thought only worthy of . . . hatred (Signs of the Times, Nov. 20, 1893). {LHU 207.5}

Egoism

“Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)

Man’s Life isn’t Consist of Abundance of Things He Possess

Our Lord struck at the root of the affair that troubled this questioner, and of all similar disputes, saying, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. {COL 254.3}

To live for self is to perish. Covetousness, the desire of benefit for self's sake, cuts the soul off from life. It is the spirit of Satan to get, to draw to self. It is the spirit of Christ to give, to sacrifice self for the good of others. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:11, 12. {COL 259.1}

Wherefore He says, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." {COL 259.2}

Marked Feature of Christ’s Teaching: Sin of Covetousness

One marked feature in the teachings of Christ is the frequency and earnestness with which He rebuked the sin of covetousness and pointed out the danger of worldly acquisitions and the inordinate love of gain. . . . When the head and hands are constantly occupied with planning and toiling for the accumulation of riches, the claims of God and humanity are forgotten. {OHC 193.2}

Means is valuable and to be desired. It is a blessing, a precious treasure, if used prudently, wisely, and not abused. . . . Since mortals have bodies and heads and hearts to be provided for, some provision for the body must be made in order to hold a proper position in the world. Not to meet the world's standards--oh, no, no indeed; but to be of influence in the world for good. . . . {OHC 193.3}

Achan, Judas, Ananias and Sapphira Covetous Act

Are not similar sins still committed, in the face of warnings as solemn and explicit? We are as directly forbidden to indulge covetousness as was Achan to appropriate the spoils of Jericho. God has declared it to be idolatry. We are warned, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24. "Take heed, and beware of covetousness." Luke 12:15. "Let it not be once named among you." Ephesians 5:3. We have before us the fearful doom of Achan, of Judas, of Ananias and Sapphira. Back of all these we have that of Lucifer, the "son of the morning," who, coveting a higher state, forfeited forever the brightness and bliss of heaven. And yet, notwithstanding all these warnings, covetousness abounds. {PP 496.4}

Power from God: Perfect Uprightness and Integrity

If God has not given you the power to obtain means with perfect uprightness and integrity, then He never meant that you should have it, and it is best for you to submit to the will of God. . . . The infinite Creator is the possessor of all things. Any loss you may sustain in your allegiance to Him is infinite gain in the future immortal life, if not fully realized in this life. . . . {OHC 193.5}

Behold the glories of the firmament. Look up to the gems of light which like precious gold stud the heavens. . . . Cannot He who spread above us this glorious canopy, who, if the sun, moon, and stars were swept away could call them again into existence in a moment, requite His faithful, loyal servants who would be obedient to Him though they lost wealth, honor, or even a kingdom for His sake? {OHC 193.6}

Consider the following!

Jesus refused to mediate the distribution of an inheritance. He instead delved into the root of restlessness in that case: egoism (Luke 12:13-15).

He introduced a hypothetical case of a man who only had eyes for himself. That man forgot about God and his neighbors, and lost everything (Luke 12:16-21).

The biblical antidote for egoism is to be humble like Christ, to serve others, and to put them before ourselves (Philippians 2:5-8; Galatians 5:13; Romans 12:10).

Ambition

“Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.” (Luke 22:24)

Learn from John Confiding Love and Unselfish Devotion

The confiding love and unselfish devotion manifested in the life and character of John present lessons of untold value to the Christian church. John did not naturally possess the loveliness of character that his later experience revealed. By nature he had serious defects. He was not only proud, self-assertive, and ambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injury. He and his brother were called "sons of thunder." Evil temper, the desire for revenge, the spirit of criticism, were all in the beloved disciple. But beneath all this the divine Teacher discerned the ardent, sincere, loving heart. Jesus rebuked this self-seeking, disappointed his ambitions, tested his faith. But He revealed to him that for which his soul longed--the beauty of holiness, the transforming power of love. {AA 539.3}

Life Filled with Selfish Plans, Hopes and Ambitions

The lives of many show that they have no living connection with God. They are drifting into the channel of the world. In reality they have no part or lot with Christ. They love amusement and are filled with selfish plans, hopes, and ambitions. They serve the enemy under the pretense of serving God. They are in bondage to a taskmaster, and this bondage they choose, making themselves willing slaves of Satan. . . . {CTr 81.3}

Are there not reasons the Spirit of God does not work with His people? Truth is kept in the outer court. Communion with God is forfeited to please worldly relations and friends whose hearts are constantly in opposition to the truth. . . . {CTr 81.4}

Dealing With Men Like Ourselves

Let us all remember that we are not dealing with ideal men, but with real men of God's appointment, men precisely like ourselves, men who fall into the same errors that we do, men of like ambitions and infirmities. No man has been made a master, to rule the mind and conscience of a fellow-being. Let us be very careful how we deal with God's blood-bought heritage. {ChL 27.2}

Consider the Following!

The apostles could not understand the spiritual truths because they were blinded by ambition. They aspired to have a prominent position in the earthly kingdom of the Messiah.

Jesus placed a child at the center of the group. Then He taught them that they should not covet great things in this life (Matthew 18:1-3).

We must trust God and depend on Him like a child, and let Him take control of our lives. Jesus has great plans for us. He will help us to abandon our wrong ambitions and to be led by Him.

Hypocrisy 1

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites” (Matthew 23:13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29)

Blinded the Eyes of Others

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites," said Jesus; "for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." By perverting the Scriptures, the priests and lawyers blinded the minds of those who would otherwise have received a knowledge of Christ's kingdom, and that inward, divine life which is essential to true holiness. {DA 614.1}

Make Wearisome Burden to Others

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." In these words Christ again condemns the abuse of sacred obligation. The obligation itself He does not set aside. The tithing system was ordained by God, and it had been observed from the earliest times. Abraham, the father of the faithful, paid tithes of all that he possessed. The Jewish rulers recognized the obligation of tithing, and this was right; but they did not leave the people to carry out their own convictions of duty. Arbitrary rules were laid down for every case. The requirements had become so complicated that it was impossible for them to be fulfilled. None knew when their obligations were met. As God gave it, the system was just and reasonable; but the priests and rabbis had made it a wearisome burden. {DA 616.3}

“The religion of Christ is sincerity itself. Zeal for God’s glory is the motive implanted by the Holy Spirit; and only the effectual working of the Spirit can implant this motive. Only the power of God can banish self-seeking and hypocrisy.”

E. G. W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 44, p. 409)

Hypocrisy 2

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)

High Pretension and An Outward Appearance

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." All the pomp and ceremony of the priests and rulers were but a cloak to conceal their iniquity, as the white and beautifully decorated tomb covers the putrefying remains within it. Jesus also compared the Pharisees to hidden graves which, under a fair exterior, conceal the corruption of dead bodies: "Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." All the high pretensions of those who claimed to have the law of God written in their hearts as well as borne upon their persons, were thus shown to be vain pretense. Jesus continued:-- {3SP 64.1}

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them who killed the prophets." The Jews were very particular to beautify the tombs of the dead prophets as evidence of their esteem for them; yet they did not profit by their teachings, nor regard their reproofs and warnings. {3SP 64.2}

Consider the Following!

Jesus used the expression “hypocrites” 14 times in the book of Matthew. He said nothing nice in any of them. Why was Jesus against the hypocrites?

In the classical Greek culture, a hypocrite was an actor who played a role. Nowadays, a hypocrite is someone who does not appear the way they really are, or does not act in line with their words.

Jesus encourages us and gives us the strength we need to live in tune with our faith. This way we will help others to trust Jesus and accept Him.

Getting Rid of Restlessness

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1)

Believe in Christ

To those who believe, Christ is a sure foundation. Upon this living stone, Jews and Gentiles alike may build. It is broad enough for all and strong enough to sustain the weight and burden of the whole world. This is a fact plainly recognized by Paul himself. In the closing days of his ministry, when addressing a group of Gentile believers who had remained steadfast in their love of the gospel truth, the apostle wrote, "Ye . . . are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone." Ephesians 2:19, 20. {AA 175.3}

"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17. Through the power of Christ, men and women have broken the chains of sinful habit. They have renounced selfishness. The profane have become reverent, the drunken sober, the profligate pure. Souls that have borne the likeness of Satan have become transformed into the image of God. This change is in itself the miracle of miracles. A change wrought by the Word, it is one of the deepest mysteries of the Word. We cannot understand it; we can only believe, as declared by the Scriptures, it is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." {AA 476.1}

Behold Christ

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 4:10; 3:1. {AA 333.3}

"Behold," the apostle declared, "I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? . . . Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." {AA 320.2}

Be Like the Pattern – Jesus Christ!

He who has an eye single to heavenly and divine things, will delight in beholding God in Christ Jesus, and by beholding he will become changed into his image. "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." He is seeking to be like the Pattern. When in perplexity he inquires, "How would Jesus do under similar circumstances? It is important that I follow Christ, that I conform my conduct to the model of his example. Without holiness no man shall see God. I must obey the commandments of God; for his law is a transcript of his character." {ST, October 3, 1895 par. 2}

Consider the Following!

We have learned that restlessness may be caused by our sinful nature. Also, our faithfulness may lead us to distressing situations. How to find peace in moments of distress?

Trust is key. Jesus promised to give us full life (John 10:10). Let us trust Jesus whenever we are wounded, tired, exhausted, sick, or disheartened. He is the Life (John 14:6).

On the other hand, Jesus is preparing a place for us. Once we get there, pain, anxiety, and suffering will no longer be a problem (John 14:2-3; Revelation 21:4).

The difficulties of this life fade away when we think of that beautiful promise. We can have hope amidst restlessness.

From the Pen of Inspiration

“Before you are two ways—the broad road of self-indulgence and the narrow path of self-sacrifice. Into the broad road you can take selfishness, pride, love of the world; but those who walk in the narrow way must lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset. Which road have you chosen—the road which leads to everlasting death, or the road which leads to glory and immortality?” (E. G. W. (Our High Calling, January 2)

So will it be with all who behold Christ. The nearer we come to Jesus, and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the less shall we feel like exalting ourselves. There will be a continual reaching out of the soul after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the heart before Him. At every advance step in our Christian experience our repentance will deepen. We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone and shall make the apostle's confession our own: "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing." "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Romans 7:18; Galatians 6:14. {AA 561.2}

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