When You Suffer From Another's Choices

You and I suffer a great deal in this fallen world as a result of pandemics and other natural disasters, as a result of man’s inhumanity to man, and mostly as a result of our own erroneous actions and rebellious choices.

We suffer whenever we break creation’s natural laws against falling from great heights. We also suffer whenever we break God’s moral laws and break the Ten Commandments.

Again, much suffering can be traced to the evil choices that we make. Some, but not all, suffering is allowed by God as a punishment for sin. Often God simply forces us to live with the consequences of our actions [Galatians 6:7-8].

Whenever people break God’s laws, others are bound to suffer as well.

I refer you to the story of Achan in Joshua 7. When he coveted some of the spoil from the battle of Jericho, his sin cost the lives of 36 men in battle against Ai. It is inevitable that others will suffer in the wake of an individual’s disobedience.

How we respond to suffering is going to either make us or break us. By properly responding to trials, we can develop patience and a proven character [Romans 5:3-4].

---

“It is inevitable that others will suffer in the wake of an individual’s disobedience.”

---

Romans 5:3-4

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”