"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8
“It's not fair! Everyone else's parents let their kids . . .”
What parents haven’t heard those words? My husband and I certainly have—from all three kids. Our standard answer was, “Well we’re not everyone’s parents, and we’re saying ‘no’.” I’m also sure not “Everyone’s parents” were that permissive.
We didn’t say “No” because we wanted to be hateful parents. We said “No” because as responsible adults we were aware of the possible ramifications for our child. As Christians, we had a different set of standards than children from different cultures and beliefs. We also knew that in other homes or circumstances they would not be adequately supervised, and we set clear rules for what we knew was best for them.
Have you ever wanted to say to God, “It’s not fair! Everyone else can . . .?”
God wants us to live by different standards to the world. In many countries, relationships condemned by God are accepted as normal, and dating couples often live together. How does a teenager avoid those sort of temptations when “everyone else” is doing it? The only way is to instill in them Godly principles, and encourage them to “be separate”. But this doesn’t only apply to teenagers.
God doesn’t tell us to be different in order to be a spoil-sport. He wants us to live pure lives, and walk close to Him. He wants what is best for us.
OVER TO YOU: In what way do you feel God has been unfair to you? This week? This year? In your lifetime?
PRAY WITH ME: Lord, help me to trust you, even when life seems unfair. Help me to believe that you know best. Amen.
THIS WEEK: Ask God daily to show you where you need to be different to those around you.
Please visit Shirley through ShirleyCorder.com, where she encourages writers, or at RiseAndSoar.com, where she encourages those in the cancer valley. You can also meet with her on Twitter or FaceBook.
