The difficulties we face

http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/self-inflicted-adversity?firstItem=ae757fbc-b8e4-4dfe-ac8d-7d3e211f384f

From the CANON on this blog:

      Solutions

1.    God is omnipotent and therefore can solve any problem.  He may choose to use the solutions listed below, but he often provides in ways you could have never imagined.  The poor should cry out to God for help, rather than depending on Baal.

 

From today’s scripture reading:

You have done many good things for me, Lord,
    just as you promised.
I believe in your commands;
    now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
I used to wander off until you disciplined me;
    but now I closely follow your word.
You are good and do only good;
    teach me your decrees.
Arrogant people smear me with lies,
    but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.
Their hearts are dull and stupid,
    but I delight in your instructions.
My suffering was good for me,
    for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
Your instructions are more valuable to me
    than millions in gold and silver.

Psalms 119:65-72

From today’s devotional:

The difficulties we face originate from one of three sources. Some are sent to us by the Lord to test our faith, others are the result of Satan’s attacks, and still others are due to our own sinful choices.

As you consider these three causes, which type is the hardest for you to bear? I think most of us would say the last one, because we have nobody to blame but ourselves and it seems as if no good can possibly come from it. After all, the Word of God says we will reap what we have sown (Galatians 6:7), so we see nothing ahead except a painful harvest.

What this kind of thinking fails to take into account is the Lord’s redemptive abilities. Although He never promises to remove all the consequences of sin, He can use our failures to teach us to fear Him, hate evil, and walk in obedience. The difficult lessons we learn can also become our protection from sin in the future. Having suffered the pain of going our own way, we’re more likely not to take that path again.

God often uses our own mistakes as tools to get our attention. He won’t let His beloved children get away with sin, because He knows it robs us of blessings, opportunities, and even character refinement.

As painful as your situation may be, thank your heavenly Father for caring enough to send out His loving discipline. Now it’s up to you. How will you respond to His correction? When we learn from experience, the scars of sin can lead us to restoration and a renewed intimacy with God.