The Truth I Hate to Face: September 22 Readings: Song 7-8, 2 Corinthians 6–7, Psalm 107:15–21, Proverbs 23:19–20

Links to September 22 Readings: Song 7-8, 2 Corinthians 6–7, Psalm 107:15–21, Proverbs23:19–20

Why did that happen to me?

Many years ago, I was going through a very difficult time in my ministry. Men I thought were my friends, people I thought I could count on had turned on me. Instead of having my back they had stabbed me in my back. I was outraged and upset. How could they do such a thing?

But as I did a little bit of self-examination I realized a few things. I was not walking in deep sin, nor had I compromised my ministry with immorality or dishonesty. But I had made some bad choices and  committed some foolish actions that had given ammunition to those men.

Though they were responsible for their own actions, my own folly contributed to the suffering and affliction I experienced. All too often, I am my own worst enemy.

The Psalmist said this, in Psalm 107:17.  

Fools suffered afflictionbecause of their rebellious ways and their sins.

We cannot follow the folly of Job's friends who deduced that if Job was suffering it must be because of his own sin, a karmic catastrophe. But we have to realize that all too often our suffering is rooted in our own folly.

I have been suffering quite a few health problems recently. I have little control over the viruses that come my way and there is not much I can do about my cluster headaches. They are a reality in my life. But at the root of many of the health problems I face is the simple fact that I have not taken care of my body the way I should. I've become (just a little!) overweight and out of shape. That depresses my immune system, contributes to asthma and apnea and several other problems.

My physical folly has created physical affliction for me.

The same thing is true with my spiritual life. Sometimes hardships come for reasons we don't understand. But more often than we want to admit our struggles and afflictions are rooted in our own folly, our bad choices, our spiritual failures.

The solution is simply. Make wise choices. Walk in obedience to God and his word. That will not keep us experience the random trials of life, but it will protect us from self-inflicted wounds. How much easier life would be if we did not create our own problems!

Father, I thank you for your grace. May I walk in obedience and wisdom so that I may experience your blessings and not create my own afflictions.