One of my favorite stories to share with my history students in class has always been that of the Prussian ruler, Frederick the Great. Frederick ruled in the 1700s. He didn’t have a good relationship with his father. I like to tell this story because a lot of teenagers can relate to difficult times in their relationships with their own fathers. It also helps me connect with them the fact that they cannot blame their behavior on their past. Regardless of the circumstances in which they were raised, or of any event they may have experienced, the decision is theirs, and theirs alone, how they behave. They are 100% responsible for their actions. End. Of. Story.
Frederick’s father was King Frederick William I. You may have already noted that history refers to the son…not the father…as “the Great”. Frederick William was not particularly a nice person or king. He was known for public outbursts where he would kick random people and was generally unpleasant. He was not a father to his own people, much less his eldest son, Frederick. Frederick’s mother saw to it that he had all the Enlightenment era had to offer by way of education, interests, and hobbies. Most of these, were in direct opposition of how Frederick William thought a future king should be raised. He viewed little Freddie as weak, stupid, and too effeminate. He took to humiliating, and even abusing, him in public. Let’s just say, they put the funk in dysfunctional families.
Frederick finally reached his breaking point when he was a teenager and ran away from home with his best friend. Unfortunately, they were caught and brought back to the palace. As punishment, the king forced his son to witness the beheading of his best friend. He then threw Frederick in prison for a year. Yeah…cause all good parents will tell you…that will definitely fix everything! Frederick did not let his circumstances define who he was, or who he wanted to be. He did not allow his abusive childhood and dysfunctional family to turn him into a monster. He overcame the horrors of his past and was a great ruler to his people. So great…we call him, Frederick the Great.
A lot of people, all throughout time, have not been as resilient. Some, have made the unfortunate choice to allow the paths from their past to become their road to ruin. Everything we experience in life is part of our journey. We all reach points in our lives, many times, where we must choose how to react, cope, and live with the complexities of life. These choices, these decisions, can have enduring and extensive effects. You don’t have to be the heir of Prussia for that to be true. Our decision in how we react, cope, and live is a choice. A personal choice. For Christians, it’s so easy…even when the circumstances are the most difficult we can imagine. We are uniquely equipped to handle it. You see, God lives inside us. The same God that created the entire universe by simply speaking it into existence. He spoke…and it was. There is absolutely no circumstance that He cannot handle. So, LET Him. Choose, deliberately, love and faithfulness to our Lord. Praise and worship Him through your pain, suffering, fear, and confusion. Go to Him in prayer. He will bless you for it. Be ever weary of Satan. Do not allow him to make you bitter, angry, or vengeful. Satan wants that for you. He desperately wants you to turn from God instead of to God in your greatest hour of need.
The Divine path is a choice for Christians. We can make the unwise choice as well. For those of us with the love of God shed abroad in our hearts, He will not allow us to travel down a path wrought with attributes contrary to His nature for long. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. John 10:4-5 This is a blessing from God.
My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, own 100% responsibility for your actions. Look for no scapegoat. Only, choose to allow the Holy Spirit that resides within you to be reflected in your actions. Your Heavenly Father is greater than any earthly king that has ever lived, and He will never loose you or forsake you. God chose you. You need to choose God. To God be the glory.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.********************************************************PLEASE SHARE using the buttons below. Help me spread the word of God.DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE to my blog.I would love to hear from you. Please comment or email me.
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