If you're a parent, you know that one of the most important lessons you can teach your children is the "law of consequences": if you choose to misbehave you're going to suffer the natural and ordained consequences of your acts. Learning what are the consequences of making certain choices, and acting accordingly, is fundamental to "growing up." Notwithstanding all the guidance provided by parents, teachers, and scripture, it's still largely a trial and error process--we end up learning "the hard way"!
That process doesn't end the moment we become legal adults. Indeed, it's pretty clear when you think about it that the lion's share of misfortune we see around us results from bad choices made by "grownups," and that we ourselves are the authors of most of our own suffering. We succumb to temptation, abuse our minds and bodies, lie or cheat to serve selfish ends, bicker with or hurt others, and generally ignore or flout the Commandments God gave us as a pathway to safety and happiness in this life. And what usually results? Broken relationships, ill health, legal and financial trouble, loneliness, disappointment, bitterness, despair. Often people in such circumstances disclaim any responsibility and blame or deny God--"It isn't fair! I'm not that bad!"
What they fail to recognize is that natural consequences are God's wise way of making us appreciate our sins and of guiding us away from them. In King James parlance, it's to "chasten": to correct by punishment or reproof; take to task; restrain or subdue; to rid of excess and refine or purify. Sinfulness makes us blind; God's correction opens our eyes and moves us to act in safer, better, more rewarding ways--ways that lead us, in due time, into His eternal company. The Lord's chastening, like any devoted parent's, is proof of His love: "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." (Proverbs 3:11,12) In times of trouble we may be tempted to believe the lie that God would not allow us to suffer so if He really loved us. But does a good parent shelter his or her children from the consequences of their own acts, just so they won't be disturbed? It's precisely because God loves us that He allows us to experience the trials that bring knowledge, improve our character, and draw us closer to Him.
Moreover, if we respond positively to the Lord's correction, he will not afflict us endlessly, but comfort and reassure: "For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole." (Job 5:18; see also Lamentations 3:31-33) The whole lesson is so aptly set forth in Paul's letter to the Hebrews:
That process doesn't end the moment we become legal adults. Indeed, it's pretty clear when you think about it that the lion's share of misfortune we see around us results from bad choices made by "grownups," and that we ourselves are the authors of most of our own suffering. We succumb to temptation, abuse our minds and bodies, lie or cheat to serve selfish ends, bicker with or hurt others, and generally ignore or flout the Commandments God gave us as a pathway to safety and happiness in this life. And what usually results? Broken relationships, ill health, legal and financial trouble, loneliness, disappointment, bitterness, despair. Often people in such circumstances disclaim any responsibility and blame or deny God--"It isn't fair! I'm not that bad!"
What they fail to recognize is that natural consequences are God's wise way of making us appreciate our sins and of guiding us away from them. In King James parlance, it's to "chasten": to correct by punishment or reproof; take to task; restrain or subdue; to rid of excess and refine or purify. Sinfulness makes us blind; God's correction opens our eyes and moves us to act in safer, better, more rewarding ways--ways that lead us, in due time, into His eternal company. The Lord's chastening, like any devoted parent's, is proof of His love: "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." (Proverbs 3:11,12) In times of trouble we may be tempted to believe the lie that God would not allow us to suffer so if He really loved us. But does a good parent shelter his or her children from the consequences of their own acts, just so they won't be disturbed? It's precisely because God loves us that He allows us to experience the trials that bring knowledge, improve our character, and draw us closer to Him.
Moreover, if we respond positively to the Lord's correction, he will not afflict us endlessly, but comfort and reassure: "For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole." (Job 5:18; see also Lamentations 3:31-33) The whole lesson is so aptly set forth in Paul's letter to the Hebrews:
My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? . . . Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:5-11)
Thus, the trials we endure as a result of our own choices are meant to make us better, holier people. Let us not rail against God, but admit our shortcomings and pray for strength to overcome them. We should reflect honestly on our conduct in times of trouble, seeking the lessons we need to learn to move on and upward. And we should always be thankful for that Tough Love we get from our loving Lord.
Tom Fleming
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