Satan can use the smallest of things, embedding them in our hearts and minds to stunt our spiritual growth.
I’m not sure exactly how it happened.
I must have been moving through my day too quickly, not paying attention to what I was doing, not watching out for the rough places that could cause issues for me and not taking the time to protect myself.
At first I didn’t really notice – just a red mark on my hand. But as the day went on a sensitivity developed around the mark that prevented me from doing what I needed to do. This unwanted object had buried itself deep within my skin – this splinter of wood so insignificant in size became a painful hindrance to my daily walk.
In the book of Galatians, Paul was angry. He was mad because the new believers were getting misinformation placed in their heads, confusing and burdening them so that they were losing ground in their faith in Jesus. Two verses stick out for me: (chapter 5:7-8) “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you.”
Cindy’s paraphrase: You started out great – what obstacle has now come up that is confusing and stopping you from moving forward in the walk God wants for you? What is stopping you from being obedient and continuing to grow in your faith? What is burdening you so you can’t move forward? It came out of nowhere. This battle that is playing out in your mind and has now stopped your progress does not come from the one who called you – who saved you. It is from the enemy.
Emotional and spiritual splinters can embed themselves in our minds, and will throw our logical thinking into confusion.
They can grow and begin to affect our spiritual progress. The multi-faceted nature of fear, disappointment, anxiety and hurt can have a paralyzing effect on your walk with Jesus. People do stupid things – they can hurt you - Justified or not - allowing those things to become buried deep within you can hinder your obedience to God.
My splinters? They are real, they are justifiable, God is aware and knows they cause pain. In fact verse 10 says that the one who is responsible will pay the penalty. But ….. they must be removed for healing to occur and progress to continue. So? Get in the light - figure out where your splinter is, have God remove it and get back in the race.
My prayer today:
Father we all have those things that will bury themselves within our minds. Satan is the culprit. When we aren’t looking, he will embed that irritating splinter of doubt, fear, hurt or confusion, which in turn becomes inflamed and stops our race. But Ephesians tells us that in the light all things becomes visible – the closer we get to you, the more we are able to see the embedded object and the easier it can be removed.
It may take a while to heal but once you have removed it our race can continue and we will let you take care of the rest.
We adore you. Amen.
