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(Psalms 119:67) “Before I was afflicted I went astray; But now I observe thy word.”
(Matthew 21:44) “The person who falls over this stone will be broken to pieces, but it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”Â
(Proverbs 6:20-21) “Keep your father’s commands, my son, and never forsake your mother’s rules, by binding them to your heart continually, fastening them around your neck.”Â
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Pain is one of the best ways to learn a lesson. Once you have a painful experience, you will think twice before going through it again. Sure, you can teach someone about what to avoid in life, warn them over and over again, give them examples of others who are suffering because they made the wrong decisions in life, and show them how they will end up if they continue to reject God…etc. However, most of us will only learn when we crash and burn. This is life and this is the way mankind ends up surrendering to God.
I constantly hear parents who are miserable and tired of repeating the same things over and over to their children who refuse to take them seriously and listen to their instructions. As children of God, we are just as stubborn. God has no choice but to allow us to suffer unnecessarily and then pick up the pieces when we realize the value of His commandments.Â
There is a grace period where God allows us to continue in our rebellion and disobedience. However, if He decides to simply stop protecting us and stand up saying “Enough is Enough!” the consequences can be devastating and there can be perpetual suffering due to our rebellion.Â
No matter who you are, God will not ignore your small acts of disobedience and they will eventually catch up with you in life. Even King David confessed that it was because of the pain and suffering in life that he was able to return to God and observe His commandments.Â
Christ is the rock upon whom we are supposed to fall and be broken, that is, completely lose our pride, identity, and self-worth as we surrender to His will. Otherwise, if we continue to live believing that we don’t need to change or we don’t need Christ to forgive us of our sins, His wrath will fall upon us and then there will be no hope for us.
If you have loved ones ignoring the warnings you are giving them, surrender them to God and ask for God to have mercy upon them as He deals with them one on one. No matter what you are trying to teach them. God will always do a better job, and they will never forget the lesson.Â
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Sometimes our love for those we care most about can interfere with God’s plan of perfecting His work in them through pain and suffering.
Prayers
- Heavenly Father, You are the chiefest among the ten thousand. He who said ‘I am with you, Do not be afraid. He who said ‘I will strengthen You and I will help you’.
- Thank You, Father, for always watching out for us and warning us through Your Word.
- Thank You for Your patience when we are stubborn and set in our ways.
- Forgive us for ignoring the instructions of our parents, leaders, and the Holy Spirit.
- Forgive us for losing our patience with our children who refuse to listen to our council.
- Thank You for allowing us to suffer a little now and avoid eternal suffering after death.
- Teach us how to humble ourselves, fall upon the Rock and be broken so that You can make us once again.
- Teach us how to value and keep the instructions of our parents.
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- We ask in Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen