Living Under the Circumstances.

People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord. Proverbs 19:3 (TLB)

Several times of late people who are disappointed with life have been brought to my attention. Usually it has not been because of what life has thrown at them so much as a disappointment with themselves because of their reactions to circumstances. So often we make a wrong decision and then have to live with the consequences.

I was speaking to a guy living under the circumstances of his addiction. Whether to drugs, alcohol, gambling, crime, or whatever it may be, a first wrong choice leads to a compulsion driven craving that drives the addict ever deeper under the circumstances.

How many times have you asked someone how they are, and the reply is, “Fine, thanks, under the circumstances.”

Prevention being better than cure, how does one live a life that is less likely to lead to a heavy burden of circumstance? How many health problems are caused by a wrong dietary decision, or a burden of compulsion like smoking, drinking or gluttony? Does a sedentary lifestyle contribute to later circulation problems? When can a solution begin to be applied? The saying, “where there is life, there is hope,” holds true. Now is the right time. Now, is the time to get out from under the circumstances. Now is the time to commit to right living, and to find the rules and regulations for a new freedom! Is that an Oxymoron? Rules? And freedom?

Let’s get real!

There is a way that seems right to a person, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs14:12)  

There is a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again – it leads straight to hell. Sure those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak. (The Message – The Bible in contemporary language)

Simplistically, there are two kinds of people in this world, - the “right” and the “wrong.” Most think they are right. Many don’t care. Some are content anyway. All live under the circumstances of their decisions.  

When Moses led the Israelites out from Egypt, it was because of his decision to be obedient to God’s  instructions. The people rebelled, and complained about their circumstances. They had seen many miracles which had led to the preservation of their lives, but yet they complained.  

The Israelites said (to Moses and Aaron) “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Exodus 16:3

 “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost – also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna.” Numbers 11:5

How short their memories; they said they would rather go back to Egypt where there was garlic and meat, and yet in Egypt they had been ill-treated and under the circumstances of slavery.

Their rebellion led to their death in the wilderness. Only the obedient saw the Promised Land.

God’s Word says; If you hear God speak today, don’t be stubborn. Don’t be stubborn like those who rebelled. Hebrews 3:15.

Getting out from under starts with coming under the authority of God. The “right” have realised this, the “wrong” are following their own way of rebellion.

If what you believe is not true, do you want to know, or not?

For many years I lived under the circumstances of ignorance, lack of commitment and discipline, false teachings that had led to apathy and indifference. I was lost, and amongst the “wrong.” I was a fool.

The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; He looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, anyone who seeks for God. Psalm 14:2.

Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1

Fear of the Lord gives life, security, and protection from harm. Proverbs 19:23.

I now live under the circumstances of having made a commitment to honour the Lord Jesus Christ, who promised “for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30.

I can now rely on two precious promises: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Now those are circumstances worth living under!