Sometimes the Problem is You

At some point, you have tried to be God. You have tried to dictate your life story and go into business for yourself. You make decisions and then ask God to bless them. You say things without thinking about the consequences or make promises and later realize you cannot deliver on them.

When we go against God's plan and will, life gets difficult. Then, we ask, "Why am I suffering so much?" In these moments, we fail to realize that we caused the problem.

It is natural for us to want to be like God. We want to be in control because we do not like being told what to do. The serpent in the garden slithered into the story and slithered doubts into the mind of Eve when he asked the question, "Did God really say?" (Genesis 3:1) Similar thoughts come into our mind when we have an opportunity to make a decision without consulting God or say something without thinking of the consequences.

The serpent continued to deceive Eve by tempting her with the thought of becoming like God. Who would not want that? Who would not want to be like God, the One who knows everything and is in control? It is a tempting thought that causes us to believe we can make decisions on our own. Genesis 3:4-5 (NIV) says, "4 You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Adam and Eve's story continues, and God eventually punishes them and the serpent (Genesis 3:14-19). The decision to become like God caused Adam and Eve to be removed from the perfect garden. They brought suffering to themselves, and we still feel the effects today.

But God, in His grace, does not leave us in our difficulties. We may deal with the consequences, but God still protects us. God could have left Adam and Eve to themselves after they disobeyed Him, and God could do the same to us. But after announcing the consequences to Adam and Eve, God showed grace. In Genesis 3:21 (NIV), we read, "The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them."

Sometimes, life gets difficult for us because we make it difficult for ourselves. When we make decisions without consulting God in prayer and without listening for His wisdom, our lives can get out of hand. But God, in His mercy and grace, does not leave us in our difficulties. He guides us back to Him. Even though we may face the consequences of learning from our mistakes, God will not leave His children and will show us the way back to Him.