Proverbs 19:3 - Food for Thought

People ruin their lives by their own foolishness
and then are angry at the LORD. NLT

I like the NLT translation of this Proverb because of the clear, readily understandable message.

How many times have we seen people live reckless, irresponsible, foolish lives that resulted in devastating illness, or have their lives fall apart around them because of their behavior and then turn around and blame God saying “How could God allow this to happen”, or, “How can a loving God do this to me”? .
I have personally witnessed many examples of this reaction. Consider the person who smoked for 30 + years then develops lung cancer, the compulsive gambler looking for the one big win but instead bankrupts the family, the alcoholic who develops liver problems, the drug addict with hepatitis C, the sex addict with an STD and a broken family. All have lived lives that put their health and well being at risk. How about those folks that max out their charge cards, take out second mortgages to buy a luxury car or to pursue other big ticket material items to the extreme then stress out and get sick over how they will pay their bills and are a layoff away from financial disaster? How many times have you heard these folks blame God for their problems? The end result is they have all sowed the wind and reaped a whirlwind of their personal idiolatry and sin and don’t even know it.
Some blame their plight on dysfunctional families, harsh living environments, or societal failures. Want to read about dysfunctional families, harsh living conditions, societal breakdowns and failures? Read the Old Testament.
The bad news was that after centuries of being obstinate in their own idolatry and sin the Jews were finally allowed to be defeated and were sent into exile. Many blamed God for abandoning them but the fault was their own.
After their return they rebuilt Jerusalem and the temple but once again lapsed into sin and developed a religious system that was foreign to the word of God.

The Good News is that Jesus Christ, the son of GOD, the word made flesh came to us so that whoever puts their faith and trust in him, regardless of their sin, will find forgiveness and eternal life. They can then rebuild their lives on a solid foundation. The bottom line here is that we are responsible for our own actions, not GOD. So please, turn to him and surrender your burdens and put your full trust and faith in him today. Please think about it.

Until next time, may the Lord Bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.