Self-infliction

This week I read an article about the consequences of self-inflicted actions. It brought several thoughts to mind. One, being that I am thankful I am in the “well-seasoned” era of my life where I have learned that what we do today may greatly affect what our tomorrow looks like. We don’t always have to speak our minds or act on our emotions when it’s detrimental to others and ourselves. And then of course, the article stirred a memory of a situation years ago when I did just that. Without going into a lot of detail, just let me say that I let my tongue wag with unwholesome talk that tore down instead of building up. (Ephesians 4:9)  I would have been wise to have zipped it. Later, I found out from a mutual friend that the consequences could have been much worse than they were. The person I had spoken out against verbalized her intentions to take me to court. She had the money to do it and much more influence in the community than I did.  What a mess that could have been if our friend had not diffused the situation. Although she did not make good on her threat, I still wished I had done things differently.

There are many other examples of self-inflicted painful consequences that may not be as severe but still impact our daily lives. For example – have you ever stepped out on icy sidewalks with smooth soled shoes, only to fall? Maybe, you’ve had serious car repairs because you didn’t keep up on regular oil changes. Have you put so much on your credit card that it now seems you’ll never be out of debt? Maybe you failed to repaint the deck when you knew you should have, and now the boards are rotting. All examples of self-inflicted consequences that could have been avoided if things had been done differently.  

In my case, when I’ve done things I knew could have been avoided, I find it hard to ask for help. Afterall, did I not deserve it?  Shouldn’t I lie by myself in the bed I made?  Besides, who’s really going to want to help me when they know it’s my own stupidity, stubbornness, or outright procrastination that got me into this dilemma?

 There is one we can always go to. God invites us to come to Him, no matter what we’ve done or didn’t do. I Peter 5:7 encourages us to cast all our cares upon Him with no mention of conditions. And Isaiah 58:9 says – then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ Again, without conditions. I am so thankful for a God who loves me unconditionally no matter what unthoughtful or stupid thing I’ve done.

Until next time – “keep on readin’ and I’ll keep on writin’.