“The suffering you sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principles.”
— Psalm 119:71 (NLT)
God Uses Problems to Connect You
Anna refused to wear her helmet, then she received a concussion when her bike skidded in gravel and she crashed. Sarah refused to go to bed on time and talked on the phone till midnight on school nights, then she was sick and missed an outing to the water park. Kate went to the mall when she was supposed to be studying, resulting in her having no money for things she needed — and failing several tests. Each girl had plenty of problems and pain to work through, but (in the end) Anna began wearing her helmet, Sarah started getting enough sleep, and Kate studied during the school week instead of shopping. Their problems were blessings in disguise.
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. When you were very young, your parents probably told you not to touch the hot stove, but you learned not to do it by being burned once. Sometimes, unfortunately, we only learn the true value of something — health, money, a friendship — by losing it, at least long enough to feel some pain.
When you next face a problem, pray and ask God if he is trying to teach you something. Listen for his answer. Then obey yourself right out of the problem!
More to Explore: Psalm 94:12
Girl Talk: Think back to a time when you made a wrong choice. What were the consequences? Do you think God was teaching you something?
God Talk: “Lord, I sometimes make sinful choices and unwise choices. Please help me to see what I did wrong, so that I don’t do it again. I want to learn and grow. Amen.”
From Girlz Rock by Kristi Holl