Human Affect

So often we allow the actions, words, attitudes, decisions and judgements of others to have drastic and lasting effects on our lives. Often times, as a result of what others have done and the pain or frustration that we have endured, we as humans want to "blame". We feel as though someone should be held accountable for the bad that has happened to us. More often than not, we blindly push the blame on God. "God why are you punishing me?" or "Why can't God ever just give me a break?" and other remarks.

It actually took me many years and growing in my faith to accept the fact that the "bad" in our lives is not God punishing us. Most of the time when things just aren't going right (in my experience) it has been because of one of two reasons (or sometimes a good 'ol fashion combo):

1. It's been caused by Humans
   
2. My walk with God isn't aligned

So, what do I mean by these reasons? I will try to explain, but I for one didn't fully understand until I grew and trusted in God more. So, for some of you this blog will sound like some crack-piped "excuse" and for others you will completely understand!

Personally, many years ago I had lost faith for a while. I had reached a "low" in life and could not believe that a loving God could have allowed me to go through such pains and situations. It was after many discussions with my husband (then boyfriend) to realize that all those "things" and situations that I had gone through were because of people (myself included), not God. That's when I realized that I would never allow another person's actions, words, etc. cause me to stumble in my walk again.

Naturally, we all say "I would never allow someone to come in between me and God", but you'd be surprised at how quickly and easily it can happen! For instance, have you ever lost your temper because of something someone said or did or didn't do? Then that means you have allowed that person to come in between your walk with God. I struggle with this continuously!

My second reason above, well, do you ever have moments (sometimes many chapters) in life where it's just one thing after another, and you just never seem to get a break? Again, in my own experience this seems to happen when I'm getting off course. When I'm trying to steer my own life instead of trusting in Him and walking the path that he wants me on. God will never purposely bring harm my way or try to hurt me, instead God sets up warning signals with flashing yellow lights to try and get me to see that the path I'm on is heading in a dangerous direction.

This doesn't mean that God doesn't test me from time to time though! Life is full of lessons, some more difficult than others...but no matter what something can always be learned to bring us closer to Him. It may take several years for us to learn the lesson(s), but eventually the blinders will be removed and we'll see it clear as day!

I was reading in Psalms last night, that really reminded me of my own struggles and experiences where I felt like a victim...but looking back on it I realize that many times I was a victim of my own offenses!

Psalm 10:10 - 15 (NIV):
¹⁰ His victims are crushed, they collapse;
they fall under his strength.
¹¹ He says to himself, “God will never notice;
he covers his face and never sees.”

¹² Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
¹³ Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
“He won’t call me to account”?
¹⁴ But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.
¹⁵ Break the arm of the wicked man;
call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
that would not otherwise be found out.