My youngest son Kaleb just turned two last month. He's learning things so quickly. I remember when he first started walking at around 10 months; he would do fine as long as he'd pace himself. But for some reason he would often try to run before he mastered the art of walking. And that ALWAYS ended in disaster. So after he'd fall and bump his head I would scoop him up in my arms and say, "Oh, it's okay mommy's baby."
Eventually, he learned to slow down. After he'd gotten enough bumps and bruises he finally developed a latent respect and appreciation for gravity, stairs, sharp corners, and walls. Come to think of it, enough bumps and bruises can effectively teach anyone what not to do!
Even you and me.
That's why God in His infinite wisdom allows us to go through painful experiences. He knows that in order for us to slow down and grow wiser and more judicious in our decision-making process we must bear the full brunt of our negative choices. As I stated above, it is through pain and suffering that we learn what not to do.
Some lessons are learned quickly. Others take longer to grasp and internalize. Thus, the amount of time we remain in the valley of "bad decisions" depends on us. God loves us enough to allow us to suffer until we come to the conclusion that we need to change. Then once we're ready to admit the error of our ways and amend them, He'll guide us through that process.
Listen. There are some character flaws that won't be worked out of us unless God allows us to experience the full consequences of our actions. And there's nothing like a little tough love to jolt us out of unhealthy patterns.
We reap what we sow. Whether we like it or not, it's true. That's a rule none of us can circumvent.
Of course, no one likes to hear, "If you make your bed hard, you've gotta lay in it," but in some cases we need a drink from the bitter cup of reality. Otherwise we'll continue the same destructive tendencies.
Please understand. God our Father loves us and He hates to see us hurting. But if He shields us from the repercussions of our choices we'll never learn that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. We'll never understand that we must take ownership of our choices. We'll never take responsibility for our own actions nor will we actively seek to improve our decisions.
Perhaps you're stuck in a situation you despise. You've cried about it, prayed about it, and fretted over it, and still... it hasn't changed. Maybe it's not the situation that needs to change... maybe you need to change. Could it be that there's a lesson you need to take away from this situation to help you avoid remaining in the same position?
I often tell you to ask God what is is that you should be learning from your struggles. If you're willing to hear and heed His voice, He'll show you a new and better way.
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com
Dianna Hobbs
is Founder and
Editor-in-Chief of EEW Magazine, the #1 online magazine for
African American Christian women. She is also Vice President of Hobbs Ministries, an international ghostwritingand
consulting firm. She is a leading authority in business, ministry, and
Christian writing.
