Consequences

For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.

John 3:16-17

There are two ways to best use the concept of consequences since the reality of it has little bearing in our life; or even death. Consider what our actions do to others. Start with a series of concentric circles. Maybe the outside circle includes your work acquaintances. The next ring holds your friends, while the one inside of that includes extended family. Next would maybe be your kids, and the one after that is your wife. Of course, the smallest and most affected circle is you. 

While you can cross out the innermost circle representing yourself because consequences don’t move you to change, how about looking at all of the other people in our lives who get screwed over because we can’t pull it together. I’d suggest you actually draw out this visual. It’s stunning when you actually see that there’s more than just you invested in your healing.

Because your life represents the consequences of someone failing or harming you, the life of pain and dysfunction has become your normal. Suffering as we do is not normal, nor is it scriptural. You do not have to accept the life you live as all you can experience. God created us for so much more. You are not at all responsible for the harm done to you, but you are responsible for how you respond to it. Don’t allow the consequences- of pain, shame, and guilt- to take God’s glory away from you.

Call To Action 

1. Write out in detail what you understand the consequences of failing to heal from your past pain can and will do to your life. 
2. Write out in detail the last consequence you paid as a result of trying to deal with your past pain. 
3. Create the drawing described in the content and include as many circles with names affixed as your life connects to.