Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle (Psalm 32:9 NIV).
After throwing a temper tantrum and running away from us in a department store, our eight-year-old foster daughter, Sandra,* tried desperately to pull away from my husband’s firm grip on her arm. As she fought him, she shouted, “You’re hurting me! I’m going to tell the judge you hurt me!” That evening after Sandra had apologized for her behavior, my husband demonstrated that it was not his grip on her arm but her efforts to pull away that caused the pain.
Later, I realized how often this is true in our own lives. When we encounter painful circumstances, we may be quick to blame God, accusing Him of causing our pain. However, a closer examination of the situation may show that the real culprit is our stubborn efforts to pull away from Him and His pathway for our lives.
Pain in our lives can come from many sources, but it is always an opportunity to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s examination to determine its origin.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for loving me enough to keep a firm grip on me even when I have chosen not to follow Your path. Help me realize that even the pain I experience in disobedience is an indicator of your great love for me. Amen.
*Name changed. Random picture from Internet