Everyone Has Their Own Struggle

After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly. 2 Chronicles 20:35

Whenever I see someone struggle with something I don’t struggle with, I have the same knee-jerk reaction – Why would he (or she) keep doing that? How could they be so dumb? For a moment, I forget my own stupidity as I become condescending of someone else’s stupidity. It happened again a while back. I’ve witnessed an acquaintance get involved in self-destructive relationships repeatedly, but when the last one ended catastrophically, it felt like he’d probably learned his lesson. Once again though, his friends and family had to watch helplessly as he dove into yet another doomed-to-fail relationship, ignoring the warnings of those who know him best. At this, my condescending thoughts began again – How could you be so stupid? What’s wrong with him?

Everyone has their struggle though. Everyone has their self-destructive behavior pattern that they’ve repeated, despite knowing the consequences. Today’s passage tells of King Jehoshaphat and his propensity to dive into self-destructive relationships. This wasn’t about romantic relationships, but rather, political ones. As king of Judah, he’d once allied himself with King Ahab, a wicked king of Israel. God painfully corrected Jehoshaphat, and it seemed that he’d learned his lesson. He repented and he followed God for years. Then, near the end of his life and reign, he allied himself with King Ahaziah, yet another wicked king. For whatever reason, King Jehoshaphat had a pattern of getting involved with those who caused him self-destruction.

Everyone has their flawed behavior pattern to which they are prone. When I don’t understand how someone else could be so stupid, I have no further to look than my own stupidity. I’ve made, and continue to make, the same stupid mistakes repeatedly. I’ve got to believe it doesn’t have to be this way though. King Jehoshaphat knew years of wise decisions, as have I. The choice is up to me. If I allow myself to drift towards living life my way, I’ll return to those self-destructive patterns. If, however, I daily follow God’s way, instead of mine, I can avoid my stupid mistakes, enjoying the life which God intends.