Wednesday, June 15, 2011

June 13th - Proverbs 13: Either Way, You Get Paid

“He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.” – Proverbs 13:13

Everything we do in life is a choice. I abhor the idea that we are simply slaves to and powerless over our circumstances. This mentality creates a culture of victimization and makes deliverance from the circumstances nearly impossible. No, the truth is that we have power to affect our circumstances. In circumstances that we can’t control we at least have the power to affect ourselves and our reaction to circumstances. We are powerful people!

Many people look at the circumstances of their life, whether it’s relational difficulties or financial difficulties and forget that they had choices in the creation of such circumstances. The person that’s in debt up to their eyeballs or struggling to make payments on their house often forgets that they signed on the dotted line and made a covenant to pay X amount on the X day of the month at X interest rate. But when that bill comes due, all of a sudden, we develop amnesia, forgetting our commitment! Or consider the person that’s struggling greatly in their marriage. Very rarely do people suddenly overnight sprout a serious disorder or sin pattern. No, more than likely it was discovered maybe during the engagement or when they first started dating, or even early in the marriage. Many folks, afraid of confrontation don’t bother to deal with such things in their infancy hoping they will just go away. But when they come to maturity, say 5, 10 or even 20 years in the marriage all of a sudden we act surprised!

The truth is we made a choice. A choice to not confront TODAY is a choice to deal with the repercussions TOMORROW. Likewise, a choice to confront TODAY is a choice to blunt the effects TOMORROW. We all make choices. This proverb describes such a process: It tells us that the person that despises and loathes correction, instruction and rebuke will suffer greatly. Another translation says that they will be destroyed. This Hebrew word also means bound, offended and to writhe in pain. This is the fruit of a choice. A choice to scorn instruction is a choice to hurt. In the same way, a person that chooses to respect a command or heed instruction is choosing to be rewarded.

Taking responsibility for our lifestyle, relationship and financial choices may seem like a difficult task. But suffering the effects of bad decisions as a victim is MUCH worse.

LIFE LESSON:
Own your failures. Admit them and make a CHOICE to overcome them.

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