A Severe Mercy

One of the most loving things my husband did for my mother caused her much pain. Some friends had joined us for a steak dinner, and suddenly mother left the table. Daniel noticed she didn’t immediately return, so he followed her into the kitchen. He saw she was turning blue and realized some steak was caught in her throat. He immediately began the Heimlich maneuver as one of the guests dialed 911. Her fragile ribs were injured, but the steak was dislodged. Although she had sore ribs for a few days, she did not complain. What did sore ribs matter? She was alive!

If someone had looked through the window at that moment, they might have thought a lady was being abused. Often we can see only a sketchy view of what God is doing in our lives when we are experiencing what C. S. Lewis called a “severe mercy.”

Just as a good physician may injure ribs to prevent choking, God’s infinite wisdom sees what is inconsistent with our ultimate happiness, and in His goodness, He removes it.

It is His goodness that removes those things that would encourage us to depend upon something other than Him.

I give thanks to you, Lord, for You are good; Your love endures forever.

“For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men” (Lamentations 3:33).