“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” — Ecclesiastes 1:18 NIV

Life is full of unintended consequences. A high school graduate is drawn to law enforcement work but after joining the police force, he’s losing sleep at night over the seedy world of crime and drug addiction. Another desired to earn her registered nursing license but after several weeks in the pediatric emergency department, she’s overwhelmed with sadness seeing the trauma inflicted on innocent children. A couple received a financial inheritance and bought their large dream home, but after moving in they realized their once simple happiness has been replaced with worry over protecting their new assets.

Sometimes the more we learn about something the less admiration we hold for it. Sometimes going deeper into an experience of life exposes us to the unpleasant peripheral conditions. Sometimes the positive increases in our lives lead to negative increases as well. However, I don’t think the solution to these unintended consequences is to avoid wisdom, knowledge, and positive gains to our life.

I think the solution is to simply know that there is more than meets the eye in this world. You can face unintended consequences without fear when you walk with the Lord, day by day, without expected harm or the possibility of His abandonment when they do arise.