Discipline is a hard pill to swallow for any adult, especially a fallen brother or sister. Sin leads us down roads that we'd never ordinarily travel, but it only lasts for a season. The desire to lean in close to the fire has gotten many individuals burned over the years and we wonder why God allows such things. Yet ,even if we fall, He still loves us more than we realize. That's not a license to sin, but it's a reminder of restoration for the one that's experienced failure.
God has fixed it so that in one lifetime you could have many diverse experiences both good and bad. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. Yet we become impatient when it takes Him a little longer than we expect to handle a crisis? He wants you to trust in His timing, for His timing is perfect, even when things go bad. You may have stumbled, slipped, or fallen, but He hasn't.
God has fixed it so that in one lifetime you could have many diverse experiences both good and bad. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. Yet we become impatient when it takes Him a little longer than we expect to handle a crisis? He wants you to trust in His timing, for His timing is perfect, even when things go bad. You may have stumbled, slipped, or fallen, but He hasn't.
God's desire is to be a safe harbor to all people, understanding He loves them just as much as He loves you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or even live the same way you do, but He still loves them. God created each of you different in some way. That's why He wants us to know He loves each of you in spite of your differences as well. That's how He knows your strong points and weaknesses. He knows if you fallen, but you have two choices-get up or stay down. Which do you think God prefers?
Knowing then how much God loves you, how can you not love yourself, even if you've messed up? You were created by Him for one reason only-to be loved, and to love in return. He is the God of Love. Love Him, love your neighbors, but also love yourself. It makes His heart ache when He sees you so angry with yourself when things go wrong or fail. You are very precious to Him. Don't ever forget that! With all His heart, He loves YOU!
If your recognize how much He loves you, then you know God is happy when you think before you act and hear the whole story before you judge. He is grateful when you forgive your enemies and be honest and frank with others about your own faults. His Word challenges you to restore a fallen brother and be honest with your own issues before condemning someone else. It pleases the Lord when you think before you speak and show loyalty to the church, your family, and your friends.
When you stand by your principles and close your ears to gossip you prove the confidence He has in you. One of the hardest things to do for a Child of God is to
bridle a slanderous tongue, yet He will give you the strength to do it. Harboring pure thoughts, sympathizing with the afflicted, restoring the fallen, and being courteous and kind to all brings glory and honor to Him.
So share restoration with those who may have fallen. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have cried until they can cry no more. Share your faith with those who have misplaced theirs. God's not really looking for someone who knows it all, but who understands how much He loves them in spite of themselves.
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