But What About You, My Child?”
A moment of honesty with God can expose more grace than we ever imagined.
📖 Scripture
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
— Psalm 103:8
“Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
— James 2:13
📚 Bible Study
“But What About You, My Child?”
A Story of Consequences, Compassion & the Heart of God
Have you ever watched someone you love make choices you knew were hurting them?
Choices about their health…
their relationships…
their job…
their habits…
their life?
And everything in you whispered,
God, please wake them up before something terrible happens.
Just enough to get their attention, Lord—nothing devastating, just enough to shake them awake.
I’ve prayed that prayer.
Not out of judgment, but out of fear—fear of what their choices could cost them. Fear of watching someone I love fall apart.
Fear of seeing pain that could have been avoided.
“Just Enough Consequence, God…”
There was a moment—not too long ago—when I began pleading with God:
“Lord, I don’t want anything bad to happen to them. Just… give them a warning. Show them the harm. Scare them, but not too much. Let something happen that makes them realize they need to change.”
And before I could even finish the sentence,
before the plea fully formed in my heart,
God gently asked me a question thatopened my eyes and heart.:
“Fair enough… but do you want consequences for your actions?”
My first reaction?
“No, God—I wasn’t talking about me. I was talking about them.”
And He whispered again,
“I know. But I’m asking you: Do you deserve consequences?
My love, mercy, and grace aren’t just for you.
They’re for all My children.”
A Sudden, Holy Awareness
I felt it immediately—not shame… not condemnation…
but a wave of holy relief.
Because in that moment, I realized:
I was asking God to give someone else the very thing I have spent my entire life begging Him to spare me from.
I was asking for justice for them,
while living on mercy for myself.
And God wasn’t angry with me—
He was teaching me.
He was expanding my compassion.
He was showing me His heart.
“Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.
Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
— James 2:13
So I Did the Only Thing I Knew to Do
I recognized my sin.
I asked for forgiveness.
And He gave it—instantly.
Tenderly.
Completely.
Then I prayed differently for that person.
Not for consequences…
but for protection from what they couldn’t see.
Not for fear…
but for clarity.
Not for harm…
but for God’s gentle intervention.
And I thanked Him for using my mistake to reveal His love,
His mercy,
and the truth that His compassion isn’t selective.
It covers us all.
That’s When I Understood Something New About God
God is not in the business of scaring people into obedience.
He is in the business of loving people into transformation.
And He reminded me that:
The consequences I avoid are the ones He covered in mercy.
The consequences they avoid are the ones He covers too.
We are all children held by the same grace.
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.”
— Psalm 103:8
🪞 Reflection Question
Where have you been asking God to show someone else justice while quietly living under His mercy yourself?
🙏 Prayer
Lord, thank You for the mercy that covers me daily.
Forgive me for the moments when I desire consequences for others but beg for grace for myself.
Teach me to love with Your compassion, to pray with Your heart, and to trust Your timing.
Help me release judgment and partner with Your mercy instead.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
📝 Practical Step
Today, pray for the person you’re most frustrated with —
not for correction, but for clarity, protection, and God’s gentle intervention.
Pray for them with the same mercy you want God to use toward you.
👥 Invite a Friend
If this message stirred something in you, share it with someone who needs a reminder of God’s mercy today. They can also sign up for the emails list on the home page at www.bestiiloriginals.com.
