Today I want to talk about consequences. Often people make the mistake of being blind to the effect their actions have on others. Think about it, everyone is part of a team – be it a work team, a family, a circle of friends or a community. Within that team everyone works toward a common goal and, hopefully, a pleasant environment.

It’s impossible to go through life alone. If you thought your life has no meaning or connection to others, you’re wrong. Even little decisions affect other people around you. Most of the time that impact is minor, but other times it can be MAJOR.

From a spiritual standpoint, the penalty for your sins are death. Fortunately, Jesus took that penalty of death for you. However, your sins –  those mistakes and decisions, do bring trouble to you and to others.

You could be guilty of the sin of doubt, financial worry, anxiety or fear of the future. If you are subject to any of these, I guarantee everyone around you pays for it. Being insecure or doubting yourself, being stressed out, causes you to treat others differently. You read situations differently and react differently. It completely impacts your relationships and your personal level of happiness.

I want to share with you a few verses from Joshua, because in this book, Joshua and the Israelites were fighting to take the land God promised them. Instead of doubting God, Joshua chose to stay faithful to His word. “Now the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.'” (Joshua 8:1) Because of Joshua’s faith, God fulfilled his promise.

“Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.’ So Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city. The men in ambush rose quickly from their place, and when he had stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it, and they quickly set the city on fire.” (Joshua 8:18-19)

But there was one man who lost sight of the huge promise and chose greed. He ended up getting stoned to death and set on fire! “Joshua said, ‘Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.’ And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.” (Joshua 7:25)

Sometimes when I read through Joshua all I can think is, man I’m glad we don’t live in those days! If Joshua had given in to doubt like the people of today so often do or chosen to live blindly, as if his decisions didn’t affect others, he would have failed.

If you are walking in disobedience in your life, there is suffering! Today, that suffering is seen in your stress, anxiety and strained relationships.

Don’t be afraid to come clean and ask for forgiveness! As soon as you turn away from the deliberate disobedience, there is mercy to walk through the consequences to the other side, instead of enduring torment and suffering. Tell me your thoughts on today’s message and don’t be afraid! We all make mistakes, don’t we? And be sure to Like and Share the message with your friends while you’re there.

In great faith,

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