For Every Reaction, A Consequence

In the book, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, when Jurgis learns of the improper demands made of his wife, Ona; Jurgis attacks and severely injures the foreman who perpetrated the acts on his dear wife. While Jurgis is in jail for his actions, his family is evicted and forced to live in an unheated room during winter in Chicago. Ona dies giving birth to their second child, and Jurgis is left alone to care for a tiny child.

Sometimes we act without thought to the long term consequences of our actions. Our only concern is for an immediate, although usually temporary, satisfaction for the real or perceived misdeed. We often act as if our personhood is somehow diminished if we do not respond in immediate and spectacular fashion. Should we learn to postpone our reactions, justice might more effectively be served.

In some cases, we will not be justified in this age. In some cases, bad people will abuse and misuse us seemingly without recompense. But what good does it serve to strike out at someone and bring even greater calamity upon those we love. Time and again, I’ve reacted to situations with short-term answers, only to discover that a much better outcome could have been affected had I, by faith, exercised self-control.

Scripture teaches that self-control is a normal attribute of the Spirit-Controlled life. Should you and I become more submissive to the Holy Spirit, we will be better able to react according to God’s timing, and with God’s power to circumstances He allows to come across our paths. Thus, we will be much more effective in all that we do.