In the Face of Adversity

 There is great debate around the globe as to if children are inherently good or inherently bad.  Contrary to popular suspicions, I would side with the latter.  The Bible says clearly in Romans 3:23 that “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  There is no room there for a maybe.  We ALL fall short and that means our kiddos do too.

Though, children can learn through adversity and struggle…it does NOT need to be crippling….the question I am wrestling through at the moment is how am I responding to adversity and thus modeling it for my children?  I’ve faced some unique challenges as of late, and I must confess, I haven’t always dealt with them appropriately or how I wish I would’ve when I have looked back at them.  God has granted grace and mercy along the road, but writing in general about the principles I’m learning helps me to feel like I’m doing something about it, and solidifying the lessons so as not to need to repeat them again.

In 2 Samuel 4, there is a fascinating account of a nursery worker who tainted the child she was tending to for the rest of his life…by the way she responded to adversity.  The account is captured in ESV Bible in verse 4….

Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet.  He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame.  And his name was Mephibosheth.

The Bible does NOT say if the nurse was fired.  It doesn’t even say she was wrong for fleeing in fear….HOWEVER, it is undeniable that the effects of fear were crippling—both literally AND figuratively! I am challenged to my core by that, and I would encourage you, dear Reader, to take a minute to consider that too.  What, in your life, is crippling you? And, is it in your control to respond differently?  Is there confession and humility that is needed?  Is there a change in behavior or attitude that needs to take place?

I ask those questions because they are convictions I’m wrestling through too!  Be encouraged!  Find strength in the fact that there are fellow travelers on the journey!  And?  Know that the Savior is ABLE to reach each of us right where we’re at and direct our course to the needed route!