First Conviction, Then Mercy

(CONVICTED) Yesterday, I was sharing my bankingsnafu with the other ladies of the Board that I serve on for the purpose of asking for prayer and I was talking about how it was a grind for us to not have cash available and how it was stressful for my husband because this is a bad situation that I should have handled better and he can't really do anything to help. And at that moment God laid Proverbs 31 on my heart. Specifically 31:11, "The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain." (NKJV) This verse says that he safely trusts her. Meaning that his trust is not displaced. That she can, in fact, be trusted to take care of things so he will have no lack of gain. Although I believe that my husband DOES trust me, this behavior calls in to question whether he SHOULD trust me and that, my friends, is a striking conviction. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul tells me, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." (NLT) And back in Proverbs 3:11-12, I am given this encouragement, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights."(NLT)

(MERCY) Today our chapter in our study of Ephesians was on the subject of mercy. And one of the questions was "What illustration from your life would you use to describe what it feels like to receive mercy?" My answer: I had to confess to my husband what I had caused to happen with our bank account. It would have been perfectly understandable if he got angry, if he used harsh words, if he altogether removed the task of handling our finances from me, If he told me how he has enough to deal with just trying to stay alive. But he did not. He calmly expressed to me that he was upset with the situation and that it would work out. This man, my husband, the head of our household, exhibited to me the kind of mercy that comes from God. Unmerited, undeserved and freely given.

I am blessed by my husband and blessed by my God.