Changing Circumstances
(NASB) 2 Corinthians 1:15-16 “In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing;
16 that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea.”

First intentions are sincere and planned.  Then something happens and those first intentions need to be changed.

Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth.  He fully intended to visit them two times, once on the way to Macedonia and then again on the way back from Macedonia.  But that did not happen.

(NASB) 2 Corinthians 1:17 “Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I?  Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time?”

Being flexible is not being “wishy-washy,” or “flip-flopping,” or vacillating.  First intentions, many times need to be changed.
Flexibility is not saying “yes,” “maybe,” or “no” all at the same time.

What an important lesson for all of us.  Even our children need to learn this lesson early on.  Parents should never feel guilty or be taken hostage by children because wonderful plans and promises have to be changed.

(NASB) Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Notice the key thought:  Raising a child with godly discipline is instructing them to trust God for changed circumstances.  Before I can give this teaching to children, I need to learn it.

Wise parents are teachers.  How I react and respond to changed plans will be a lesson my children will learn from me.  Whether I react negatively or positively to changed plans is a teachable moment.

Our adult daughter once told me, “I can’t remember what you said, but I remember what I saw.”  She saw how I reacted in various circumstances.

Children remember our actions and attitudes!

~ Take it to heart ~

(NASB) Deuteronomy 6:4-7 “Hear, O Israel!  The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!
5 ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
6 ‘These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.
7 ‘You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”

A follower of Christ is to be taught by God;
maturity is being flexible.