Whenever we visited, my husband, sister-in-law, and I did most of the talking. Donnie would sit quietly, rarely offering insights into our discussions. But when he did, everyone would listen. He was usually comical, quick and point-blank. You did not have to wonder what he thought. Truly, that was one of my favorite things about him.

We were discussing a situation one day, and he made a comment that made me laugh. But since then, I have repeated the maxim at different times, realizing the truth behind it:

“God is often blamed for things he never said,” Donnie said in his matter-of-fact tone.

God is often blamed for things he never said. @AJC
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Since that day, I have often witnessed situations that made me recall his words. It’s true – to justify certain decisions, it is not uncommon for even the most faithful believer to convince himself that God approves of attitudes or actions which undoubtedly contradict biblical principles.

Let’s face it – who has not deceived himself into believing that bad decisions or actions were acceptable, even God-honoring. Whether it’s justifying why we cannot forgive someone, honor our parents, put an end to an immoral relationship, you name it – most of us have compromised clear principles, calling sin a good thing.

Now, there is no question that there are decisions we make and certain subjects concerning God’s will for our lives that are significantly more subjective. The Bible does not tell me what I should do next in my ministry or whether I should take that job. We must patiently seek answers such as these through prayer, godly counsel, and then wait for the “peace that surpasses all understanding” before moving forward.

However, for any believer who claims to “live by the book,” there are times when we must remove our hearts from the equation before making a decision, lest we become blind to the dangers lurking behind the pretty face, or the devastation waiting around the corner as we take the wrong turn.

There are times when we must remove our hearts from the equation before making a decision, lest we become blind to the dangers lurking behind the pretty face, or the devastation waiting around the corner as we take the wrong turn. @AJC
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The prophet Jeremiah warned Israel about the deceitfulness of one’s heart. His words ring true still today:

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

In his commentary on this passage, 17th-century minister and author Matthew Henry explains:

“We cannot know our own hearts, not what they will do in an hour of temptation (Hezekiah did not, Peter did not), not what corrupt dispositions there are in them, nor in how many things they have turned aside (…).”

It’s true – given the right condition, our emotions can lead us to paths filled with pain and devastating consequences. And those committed to being led by God through life must realize that he is the only one who truly knows the future and that certain situations or people may “look” good but are not his best for us.

Given the right condition, our emotions can lead us to paths filled with pain and devastating consequences. @AJC
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We face decisions daily. Many will bear minimal consequences. Conversely, the ripple effects of certain choices that may look inconsequential at first have the potential of utterly altering the course of our lives or altogether destroying them.

May we learn to listen to God more carefully, telling our hearts to be still and take the time to sift every decision through the grid of His word. As we do, we will realize that many things we thought he said were nothing but the voice of a deceitful heart.

“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words. It is expressed in the choices one makes.” — Eleanor Roosevelt.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, February 12, 2022. Click HERE to find it on the AJC’s website.

The post God Is Often Blamed for Things He Never Said {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Post by: Christy Mobley

The other night I dreamt the house was on fire. I sat straight up in the bed and like a blind person groping for a fire extinguisher my hand fumbled about the bedside table knocking stuff over until…

Ahhh, I found it! Gaviscon.

One swig of the cool-minty-green liquid and the fire was out. At least for the moment.

If you haven’t already guessed, yeah I have that insidious, nasty acid reflux! The term even sounds caustic. Acid. Reeee-flux.

This condition has been a bug-a-boo for me on and off most of my adult life. It was for my dad too.

Thanks Dad! (God rest his beloved soul.)

Lately the fire in my esophagus has been of the three alarm variety.

Why am I telling you this?

If you think it’s because I’m over fifty and over-fifty people talk about their ailments all the time (even though we do), that is not the reason.

Here is the reason:

I know certain foods cause me to have flare-ups. And because I know which ones are the culprits its stands to reason I would want to stay away from said evil. Yes? Why would I want to mess with my menu?

I’ll tell you why.

As I put distance between myself and my last episode of “towering inferno” I start to once again feel confident in my indulging without consequence. And once again I stray into dangerous territory.

I say to myself…

I think I can handle it.

This time will be different.

I’m different.

I’m stronger now.

That one slice of pizza won’t bother me. I mean what’s the harm in a little chocolate or yummy garlic bread or the pesto jam jar from the Nordstrom’s Bazille cafe…

And then as if blindsided, like, oh my goodness I can’t believe this is happening to me again!, I find myself rummaging through the medicine drawer for another Zantac, Tums or Gas-X, to ease the bloat in my gut and the distress in my chest.

Not a pretty picture.

I’m confessing this to you because isn’t this what we do with sin?

We know what our temptations are. We know what gets us into trouble. I don’t need to give you a multiple choice list, you and I both know what our weaknesses are, just as well as I know which foods make me sick.

Somehow when things have been calm for a time, we begin to get proud, telling ourselves, “I can handle this.”  We follow our temptation deeper and deeper into the woods until we are the point of no return. It all feels innocent enough at first, until once again we fall into the pit of uncomfortable consequences.

Oh my goodness, the travesty.

But God in his infinite wisdom and grace knows how we are and has provided tools to help us,—to protect us from ourselves.

1. God gave us memories for a reason and not just pleasant ones. Don’t allow distance to cloud them. Sometimes it is imperative to remember the bad stuff. If we recall the pain of a previous experience, we are less likely to go there again. It’s called wising up.

2. Call out to God for help. His word tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tested beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you an endure it.”

3. Realize we are apt to rationalize our way out of saying no to our temptations. We can deceive ourselves better than anyone else. “The heart is deceitful above all things…”Jeremiah 17:9. Please know I’m preaching to the choir. That’s exactly why I love this verse…such an eye opener.

How many uncomfortable situations will we get ourselves into, how many people will we hurt or how many disruptions will take place in our homes or at work before we learn we will never conquer our weakness by our own power and might?

And how many times will I knock the water glass off the nightstand reaching for the Gavascon to put out the unnecessary fire in my gut?
All because I continue to mess with the menu…

“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left, keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:26-27

Looking forward, pressing on and seeking God in every bump and twist in the road.

Christy 

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The post I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing! {#RechargeWednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.