Death by DistractionSample

So there I was, sitting in my hot tub… crying! What a sad sight. I’m sure the neighbors behind our house, who can see right into our backyard, thought I was having an emotional breakdown.

Which: I kinda was, honestly.

Like I said, for months and months I had struggled with this come-and-go mix of confusion, resentment, bitterness, mental anguish, and apathy. It was a stew of shame being stirred by the spoon of distraction.

Distraction is a work of the enemy.

The Bible speaks clearly about how the enemy prowls around like a lion, trying to devour. This verse makes us think about an enemy who is trying to attack us, physically assault us, or trip us up on our life journeys. But I think the #1 way the enemy tries to devour us is by distracting us from what we know to be true.

Truth is freedom.

Freedom is of God.

And freedom always produces purpose.

When we are living a life of purpose, then we are living in God’s will!

The enemy HATES this. He hates to see people like me and you living out our purpose, working alongside God to set captives free, to give back, to serve the needs of others, to live in community, to LOVE!

Identifying the fact that the enemy is behind the distractions that lead you off your God-given path is life-changing!

This is what was taking place in my hot tub that night. This is what drove those tears down my cheeks. Because I was realizing how a few small distractions had ultimately put me on a path toward destruction. And how this was the enemy’s plan all along.

I was HOT! (And not just from the tub!) I was honestly upset that the devil had done this to me, and even more upset at myself that I had bought into it. How could I have allowed this to happen?

I know better. Or at least I should know better.

But right before I really started getting onto myself, I remembered a core truth: sitting in the shame of “should’ve and could’ve” has never once changed anyone.

No, change takes place at the intersection of awareness and action.

Now that I was aware of what was happening, I could begin to take action. Which is what I was about to do.

We’ll get back to that tomorrow, but before then, take a moment to think about your own life and where the devil might try to devour you.

Can you acknowledge today that the devil wants to destroy your life?

Can you acknowledge that he does this through distractions in your life?

Are you ready to take some action to get back on track?

Think about those things. Let’s talk some more tomorrow.