What Was God Thinking? Benevolent Detachment #2 of 5
Ever just want to shake someone? I have.
Okay, maybe not physically, but I have wanted so badly to help someone SEE something. It's mind-boggling to me how tolerant people can be of difficult circumstances they could actually do something about!
If I'm honest I've wanted to shake myself at times as well!
You'd think the low experience would be enough for a wake-up call, but no. We keep doing the same thing over and over, and not adopting the new thing we know would be better for us.
What was God thinking when He gave us free will?
Apparently, this is not a new phenomenon. Paul says in Romans 7:15
I do not understand the things I do. I do not do what I want to do, and I do the things I hate.
But then later in Romans 12:2, he says,
Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.
So, what does this have to do with benevolent detachment? Is killer hard to encourage people to use their free will and not tell them what to do!
I want to just shake them and say, "HOW LONG are you willing to put up with this?", "When are you going to DO SOMETHING?" (Which by the way hardly ever works.)
Instead, I have learned to ask respectful empowering questions. God offers abundant life by offering us free will to choose. (Joshua 24:15)
He promises that He IS guiding us. (Proverb 4:11)
When we practice benevolent detachment it reflects God's offer of free will and it puts responsibility for right choices on the right person. Benevolent detachment offers patience. It always believes, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Sound familiar?
It's not easy. It's a skill to be learned, but it's the way God designed us all to be - in relationship with HIm as we make choices to connect with Him and His best for our lives or to keep on doing what we've always done.
Want to connect with God for your own best next steps?
Want to help others without shaking them?
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What is Benevolent Detachment? Benevolent Detachment #1 of 5