Scripture
Genesis 30:1, 23-24
“When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”
“She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, “God has taken away my disgrace.” She named him Joseph, and said, “May the Lord add to me another son”
Observation
Rachel was hurting, and she lashed out at her husband as the perceived source of her pain. “Give me children–or I’ll die!” The problem was that her husband wasn’t the cause of the problem–God himself had intervened to give Leah children, but not Rachel. She and her sister Leah ended up in a bitter feud back and forth, using their children as leverage in a twisted game of seeking validation in all the wrong places. After all the scheming and conniving were finished, God enabled Rachel to have a son of her own. She finally realized that the situation was in God’s hands–and gave God the glory.
Application
When life hurts, it can be easy to lash out at the most convenient target. Unfortunately, that’s usually the people closest to me. Even if it’s not their fault or their responsibility, it’s easy to cast blame for my frustration.
Whatever the situation though, God is working to accomplish something through the circumstance–whether or not I am yet able to see what that might be. Casting blame and lashing out at those around me, merely makes me part of the problem instead of the solution.
This week, I need to take time to understand before I react or lash out at those around me. Even if I don’t understand the reason or the purpose of my pain, I need to remember that God is accomplishing His plans and purposes–whether or not I presently see the whole picture.
Prayer
God, thank you that you are at work in each situation and each circumstance. Help me not to react and lash out at people when I’m uncomfortable, but rather that I would trust that you have the situation under control and will bring your solution when the time is right.
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