Day 153/365- Proverbs 19:3

"Circumstances & Consequences"

People ruin their lives by their own foolishness & then are angry at the Lord . (Proverbs 19:3 NLT)

Many times we confuse our circumstances with consequences. We confuse trials with consequences of sin. Many people are mad at God for their circumstances when their circumstances are just a by product of their own lives! The Bible is clear, we will reap what we sow. When we sin, the only outcome is death (Romans 6:23). We need to get to the point where we look at our own lives when things don't go right. We should look at our own actions first instead of just assuming it's everyone else (including God). Louie Giglio once said this with great insight. He said if our job is bad, our family is bad, our finances are bad, our friendships are bad, etc., what's the common denominator? Could it be us? Surely not!!

In life, we assume we are not the problem. If things aren't going well, it's not our fault, it's not because of something we've done. And yet this Proverb teaches us to look at ourselves first. Consider the consequences of our actions before we blame God. We deceive ourselves into doing life our way & getting mad at God when that doesn't add up. Imagine that!

This sin is as old as the world. Cain knew what to do to be received by God & he refused to do it. And when God rejected him, he got angry with God. And this same spirit is in us and I believe the Holy Spirit is convicting us to change, to repent, to look at our own hearts & see what needs to change in us. If we are living with someone who we are not married to & that relationship is not working out, it's not God's fault, it's ours for not obeying his plan for us! If we are viewing pornography & it's hurting our relationship with our spouse, it's not God's fault, it's ours! If we are being bad stewards of our money & we are struggling financially, it's not because God is not providing, it's because we are not being good stewards.

If we looked at ourselves first, we would find a better understanding of where we are & where are lives are headed. We would also better understand our sin, consequences, & circumstances & how to navigate them all with God.