Psalm 119: 71, 80
It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Thy statutes.
May my heart be blameless in Thy statutes, that I may not be ashamed.
God singles out each one of us with the trials and afflictions each of us is subjected to. God doesn't tempt anyone, but He allows our own flesh, this World around us, and the devil to tempt us with all manners of troubles and sorrows.
Life in this World is our school, to learn God's ways and get to know Him.
When I am taking a class and there is a test I need to study for, I find that when I give a wrong answer, that's when I learn the right answer, because it was on the test.
God uses things in our world to show us His goodness and care for us through negative experiences, like taking a test in school.
When God let me break my hip, I was greatly hindered in living my daily life; I couldn't do anything automatically any more, I had to think about how I could accomplish every little thing I need to do each day.
That was a real test, and I found that the discipline of thinking about how to do even simple things could carry over into thinking before I speak, also.
So, I can say with David, that it was good that I was afflicted, so that I could learn how to interact with others with the Love that God loved me with through this whole healing process.
O my Father, help me to continue to learn from that mishap, to remember to think before I speak, even in the heat of the moment. Help my attitudes toward others be according to how You see them, and may I think Your thoughts for them. Then my words will be Your words, and relationships will be able to go on that path of healing.
Thank You, my Father, for all the ways You work in me, and on me, so that You will be able to also work through me. Help me to continue to grow in Your Love, so that my heart will be blameless according to Your rules, and I may not be ashamed.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
