I will always choose to believe that God is indeed holy, kind, loving, faithful, merciful, and just.

Verse

Romans 2:4 (NLT)

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

God, thank you for being so wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient with us. May we not dismiss the way you treat us or take it for granted. But may we embrace your kindness and the way it calls us to turn from our sin. 

Your faithful love never ends, God!

Your mercies never cease!

Your great faithfulness pours out on us in fresh mercies each morning.

Thank you, Lord, that your love reaches as high as the heavens but also deep into our hearts.

In the strong name of Jesus, Amen.

What is your natural reaction when you get caught doing something wrong? Oh, I know, maybe you’re smart enough at this point in your life to avoid doing something wrong . . . or get caught. But in all seriousness, can you think of a moment when you knew you were up to no good? Headed in the wrong direction? Disobeying God’s best?

I only ask because I want you to think about what God’s response was in that situation and how you, in turn, responded to Him. Did you run away? Try to hide? Laugh it off? Deny it entirely? Blame someone else?

What was God’s response? Did He strike you down with a thunderbolt? Ignore you for days? Scoop you up and tell you not to worry about it? Come to think of it, that sounds more like modern-day parenting techniques, minus the thunderbolt, compared to how God works.

According to Scripture, God is wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient, but not without due cause.

His kindness is intended to turn us from sin.

Is that how it is working in your life? Or do you find yourself scared of God’s wrath, fearful of His judgment, anxious at the potential of unleashing His anger? Actually, if we think about that side of God’s character enough, it might actually motivate us to stay committed to living out His Word.

How is God’s character shaping and motivating you to live according to His commands and turn from sin? If it is not, is that because you don’t really believe God is who He says He is? 

To continue this journey of living brave and inviting the next generation to join you in the journey, get a copy of Brave Together: A Conversation Starter for Cultivating Biblical Mentoring Relationships.

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