Greetings:
The Book of Proverbs repeatedly tells us that wisdom will keep us out of trouble.
Though its verses were are encouraged to stay away from dishonesty, impatience, imoralityselfishness and stupidity. We are cautioned not to have a hot temper, and told we can get ourselves in trouble, both in fellowship with others and in the eyes of our heavenly Father when we run our mouth too much.
Proverbs contains exactly what its name implies. Proverbs are short, concise messages of general truth aimed for correction and instruction.
Proverbs repeatedly tells us that wisdom will keep us out of trouble. Anytime we ignore God’s principles, we eventually suffer the consequences.
It's like the old TV show “Truth or Consequences”. We always reap what we sow. That is a truth. God has given us the freedom to make our choices, but we are not free to choose the consequences of those choices. People often blame God for the natural consequences of their poor judgments and choices or they blame the devil for circumstances that were actually planned by God.
God never tempts us to sin, but he tests our character and faith. The storms in our life can be a trial, a temptation, a trespass, or a troubling consequence.
We must remember that God’s purpose is greater than our problems, our physical pain, our relational strains and hurts and even our sins. We have to admit our shortcomings, repent and move forward. We have to give it to God. This allows us to be both realistic and optimistic, freed from our religious-bound constraints to be relational with God.
One of my favorite pieces of scripture is Romans 8:28-33 (NIV). It reads: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God fore-knew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.”
Becoming like Jesus means serving, sacrificing, and suffering just as He did. The Bible repeatedly tells us that suffering is often the will of God for our lives. In fact, we sometimes suffer more because we are Christians.
God tells us to consider this a privilege in 2 Timothy 3:12 (The Living Bible), “Yes, and those who decide to please Christ Jesus by living godly lives will suffer at the hands of those who hate him.”
God’s goodness and grace doesn’t mean we'll never be hurt, sad, or unhappy. I don't know why for some, it is greater than for others, but it is.
God allows pain because he is more interested in our character than our comfort. He wants to perfect us not pamper us. His goal for our life is holiness, not happiness. He always values the spiritual over the material, because that is what will last forever. God our Father knows what’s best for us and has our best interest at heart.
In Jeremiah 29:11-12 (The Living Bible), God told Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.”
When we are facing trouble, don’t ask, “Why me, Lord?”
Instead ask, “What do You want me to learn?”
Be blessed.
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