4 Abundant life ~ Mercy in Disguise
4 Abundant life Blog #6
Mercy in Disguise
It is important to differentiate “mercy” from “grace”; two terms often interchanged errantly. Simply put, grace is getting a reward that we do not deserve. Mercy is not getting a punishment that we actually do deserve.
It is vitally important therefore to view those painful situations and experiences from a “mercy in disguise” perspective. Last week we talked about changing our perspective when we are going through valley experiences from asking “why”, to “to what ends”. The definition of mercy helps us make that transition as we view the painful experience as “not a punishment”.
This is key premise to live a life of abundance (e.g., abundant joy, abundant peace, abundant prosperity, etc.). Painful experiences are NOT A PUNISHMENT!
Easy to say, and difficult to do we know. There have been times (painful times) in our lives when we did absolutely nothing wrong and yet we experienced a painful loss. One example was related to an abrupt job loss with no warning, no reason given, and no answers at the time. It is easy and natural to want to wallow in self-pity, anger, denial, and view the situation as a punishment for some past sin.
Again, painful experiences are NOT A PUNISHMENT!
Once we apply 7 steps listed in Chapter 6, page 59 of our book 4 Abundant Life (Sit tight, Think logically, Don’t take it personally, Don’t make it worse than it is, Check your value system, Listen to wise counsel, and Think positively) we are able to change the perspective from “why” to “to what ends” and see that the painful experience is mercy in disguise.
Pruning (taking something away) is necessary for growth and explained in many Bible passages by Jesus. In fact, Jesus says God is the gardener, Jesus is the Vine, and we are the fruit. In order to produce more fruit (abundance), pruning needs to happen regularly. Again, when we keep using our talents and gifts for the glory of Him, there will come a time that abundant fruit (after pruning) occurs.
Pruning is also different than being robbed. The enemy has only three goals: to steal; to kill; and to destroy. When the enemy steals something from you, all is not lost. Stand firm on the promise of Proverbs 6:31 “Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold”.
In short, painful experiences happen, but they are NOT A PUNISHMENT! They are either results from pruning (the truest sense of mercy in disguise) where God is getting something out of the way to bear more abundant fruit (up to 100 times more according to Biblical promises); or from being robbed by the enemy in which we have the right to claim a 7 times return).
Application:
Write in a painful experience/loss in the blank _____________:
Believe it happened NOT AS A PUNISHMENT for something you did or did not do. Grace has covered this (past, present, and future) for children of God.
Apply 7 steps listed in Chapter 6, page 59 of our book 4 Abundant Life (Sit tight, Think logically, Don’t take it personally, Don’t make it worse than it is, Check your value system, Listen to wise counsel, and Think positively) we are able to change the perspective from “why” to “to what ends”.
Keep using your talents and gifts to Glorify Him.
Pray that if this is pruning, the return in abundant fruit is up to 100 times the loss; and should it be theft by the enemy, the return is 7 times the loss. Expect 7-100 times returns at the appointed time and place!
There is more on this topic in Chapters 6 of our book “4 Abundant Life”. Once again, we look forward to hearing about your experiences with mercy in disguise! Drs. Eric and Joanna Oestmann
