Our Day One Friend, Consequence
I was a hater.
There was a time when I could never hear the word consequence and think happy thoughts. No ice cream and bubble gum good times at the State Fair. No rainbows and cotton candy while skipping through tulips.
Nope, for most of us, we give the word consequence a bad wrap. We figuratively wrap the word neatly in gloom and doom, then sprinkle it with the best of the worst calamity.
If we can be honest, we’ve all lived through the consequences of bad choices, disobedience, and have lived to tell AND laugh about it. We took it patiently, and it didn’t kill us (1 Peter 2:20). Yet, the shade remains.
Is This How We Treat Our Friends?
Why would we do a friend like Consequence like that?
Now, if that question throws you for a loop, “Consequence…a friend?” – maybe it’s time to shift your perceptions and see the value a healthy relationship with consequences can bring your life.
How do we do that?
Just as friendship is about giving and receiving – we must be honest and open to receive the positive work consequences have to offer.
So, Team, no more ‘hating’ when we hear the word consequences. We can all learn to embrace the positive characteristics of consequences, and the truth of how to apply them to our lives.
Because just like a good friend…
1. Consequences don’t control us.
Consequences never go first. They’re not out to get you. They don’t ask to be here – they are summoned, called, invoked after being produced by some other action, condition, or choice. This is actually good news, why? Because it puts us in control of consequences, and not the other way around. With foreknowledge, we are not helpless victims of consequences. If the reality of a certain consequence causes you anxiety or pain – guess what – you are not sentenced to that prison without first being handed the warden’s keys!
2. Consequences encourage you to think before you act.
What would my life, your life, the world be like if we really thought about our words and actions before we said or did them? I’m of the mindset that people, in general, don’t like pain, embarrassment, loss, etc. So, how is it that we make such thoughtless decisions, and then are mad at the who?….the Consequences! Sound decisions after prayerful contemplation are key to a life with less misery and hardship (Proverbs 3:6). Thinking before you act is also a loving gesture – any time you can save yourself or others pain and heartache – that’s Love!
3. Consequences grow you up.
Team, we can’t stay on milk forever. At some point in life, we have to grow up and learn what, where, how, when to act AND why! It’s called putting away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11). There’s a part of God’s plan for each of our lives that reads: “The older you get, the more responsibility you’ll have, and a greater expectation that you’ll make sound, mature decisions.” Pain, hardship, embarrassment, loss all have a special way of getting our attention and growing us up – for our own good.
4. Consequences deter dangerous repeat behavior.
Have you ever looked at your past bad behavior and asked yourself, “Was I a glutton for punishment?” I have. Human nature is a trip. No matter how educated, well-put-together we seem – our sinful nature, gone unchecked, will have us repeating the same bad behavior again and again. Thank God for consequences (and mercy)! How can we get to the blessings of 12th grade, and be a blessing to others we meet in 12th grade, if we’re stuck in Kindergarten asking for “one more chance”? Consequences help put an end to our harmful cycles so we can begin to live on purpose.
5. Consequences are Excuse Assassins!
If excuses are monuments of nothingness, consequences are the wrecking balls that destroy those monuments. When we’ve been made aware of the consequences, our “excuse card” immediately expires, and we are ejected from the blame game! Knowing the consequences, we are now empowered to manage our own outcomes. Being able to live an excuse-free life, one where responsibilities are fully owned, mistakes are learned, and you emerge a better person – this is the fulfillment of God’s growth plan for our lives.
Does this change your perception of consequences, or foster a friendlier relationship with the concept? We hope so.
So, What’s the Play Call?
Embrace your consequences, and grow patiently through every learned lesson. Here’s to better choices, behaviors, and the abundant life available to Team Jesus as we all mature!
Have you ever watched a baby sleep? As their bodies surrender to stillness, a gentle sense of calm and peacefulness is reflected in their bodies and sometimes on their faces. That simple act of rest is a reminder for me about the power of God’s gift, the breath of life.
Life is hard and we can easily get bogged down in all the negative situations that pervade our lives each day. However, the Bible teaches us to live from a place of thanksgiving, despite our circumstances. How do we successfully choose gratitude when we daily face challenges, negative media, and secular mindsets that are contrary to our biblical training?
Did you know that there are many benefits to adopting gratitude as a way of life? As you begin to take on a mindset of thanksgiving, you may start to curb negative thoughts, eliminate anxiety and even diminish depression.
There have been moments in my life where I could feel the presence of peace. Sometimes, I sensed it when worry was suddenly replaced with calm. Sometimes, I feel enveloped in it like a coat. And, other times, it’s like fresh oxygen and I breathe much easier.
Determination and persistence are your best friends. When I chose a car seat, I wanted one that I thought was safe (and cute!). My husband wanted one that was safe (and cheap!).
I picked out my daughter’s daycare months ago, so when I was offered a job, I went in just to do a run-through, meet her teachers, etc. Quite a few things were not to my liking, but I was running out of time; most places had year-long waiting lists, and I had already told my husband the price, so anything higher was going to cause him to raise a few eyebrows. What am I going to do?
I recall, some years ago, my electricity being turned off. I’d made an arrangement for an extension, but when the bill came due, I didn’t have the money to cover it.
See, so often, we treat God the way I treated my daddy. We don’t tell Him, with the hope that we can fix it ourselves. The problem is, sort of like my dad, God already knows what’s going on.
When I was a kid, one of my favorite non-toy toys was my Mom’s handheld counter. I don’t know if I liked the clicking noise, how that noise aggravated others lol, or if I simply enjoyed the anticipation of seeing the next number appear.
Have you been feverishly counting the number of times someone offends you, ready to cut them off at 491? “Sorry, your forgiveness card has expired.”
Are you waiting for the perfect season, non-busy week, or ideal day to begin a fitness routine? Have you found yourself in Scarlett O’Hara’s shoes saying, you “will think about it tomorrow?” 
When a work schedule changes, when a child begins a new extracurricular activity, or when responsibilities at church or a community group are added, it often requires us to re-evaluate how to continue to prioritize exercise. If you aren’t healthy and energized, your mental, emotional, and physical energy will suffer.
So, I was watching 
Have you seen the movie? If so, you know what came from that and if not, well, eventually she couldn’t take it anymore and she answered “the call”. Not without problems or opposition, but she answered. 
Recently, my husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary with a vow renewal before friends and family. It was a beautiful ceremony and celebration. As we reflected on our past years, we remembered taking the step to get married while others scoffed at our decision. We were young in age, young spiritually, financially growing, and in the process of life. People said we should wait until we had more. But, we were more concerned about being right in the eyes of God than abiding by the opinions of man. We loved each other and were willing to take on the challenges of natural growth.
