As a way to support my friend I often ask how her adult daughter is
doing. One Sunday the mother sought me out to tell me her daughter was charged
with domestic violence, but her reaction was not what I expected. Even though the
situation was going to be an emotional and financial hardship on the mother,
she was rejoicing. “It’s the wakeup call
my daughter needed to get her act together. Now she’ll have to get to court
ordered counseling and she is finally moving to get away from this toxic
relationship.”
Don’t you just love watching Scripture play out right in
front of us? “Not only so, but we also
rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces
perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love
into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Ro 5:3-5 NIV)
1 comment:
Gail;
-----We are odd creatures indeed. We know ourselves little beyond our first few layers. We choose how we react to things by continuously reacting that way, then we act bewildered at something we’ve done as if some sprite made us do it. We try to sort things out according to our likes and ambitions and then wind up in the barrow pit on the other side of the road. So the trouble with our relationships must be the other guy’s fault.
-----But the truth is, everyone is deeply sensitive. Actions are affected by events according to habitual patterns. We always want to change the patterns of the other guy, upon whom we blame the relationship’s failure when it unravels. When talking fails we shout. When shouting fails we hit.
-----What we don’t do is consult the owner’s manual. It’s instructions are unfortunately scattered about without an index. But I think that actually serves us well. They are secondarily instructions for relationships with other people, and primarily those for a relationship with our God. But then, that relationship with God becomes primarily instructive about our relationships with other people.
-----So, when we do realize the utility of the manual, it gets studied and practiced more than read. We begin to notice the patterns of behavior it teaches exude better behaviors from those around us. Sometimes it is necessary for a counselor to help us straighten a tangled rat’s nest of emotions and inclinations, but from there on the simplest of concepts fuel the best of interrelations, for example, “Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Rom 12:10) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” When we incline ourselves towards God’s ambitions and hold to the road for how it will make Him feel, both barrow pits become easier to avoid or escape.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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