Want To Stop Self-Sabotaging?
“God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him.” - Philippians 2:13 TPT
A couple of months ago, I had the most horrid night’s sleep, but God used it to teach me a lesson I will always remember. That night before I went to bed I was so sleepy I forgot to latch the back porch door after I let my dog, Bruno, outside. This was fine as far as safety goes because we have a sliding door leading from the porch into the house that I did lock
A few minutes later, after I had gotten into bed and was about to drift off to sleep, I was startled by a loud screeeeeeeeech followed by a BOOM! “What in the world is that?” I grumbled aloud. Then, it hit me - the wind was banging our rickety old porch door open and closed. It didn’t take long for that sound to get thoroughly annoying. But even still, I did not get up to go and latch the door, because like I said, I was tired.
So, the whole night long, I was plagued by the screeeeeeech and SLAM of that dumb door. The following morning the Lord got my attention as I made my coffee and stomped around.
Here is what He told me:
“You would have been rested if you had gotten up to close the door. There are some problems in your life that you think are out of your control, but they aren’t. These problems persist because you refuse to be uncomfortable long enough to face them. Let me show you how to stop making your life harder than it needs to be.”
Good gracious, this hurt to hear but God is always spot on.
"Our parents corrected us for the short time of our childhood as it seemed good to them. But God corrects us throughout our lives for our own good, giving us an invitation to share his holiness. Now all discipline seems to be painful at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it.”
- Hebrews 12:10-11 TPT
For the rest of the day and ever since, I have been prayerfully asking God some tough questions:
How many “rickety porch doors" am I tolerating in my life that I don’t have to?
In what areas am I hurting myself by refusing to be uncomfortable in a healthy way?
How else am I making my life harder than it needs to be?
Beautiful sister, this lesson has been so helpful for me! I think the enemy tries to convince us we are powerless, but God tells us the opposite. With Him, we are powerful. We don’t have to sit back and tolerate everything. Some things are our responsibility to change and with the Savior’s help we can take action.
Here is a little prayer you can speak to the Lord right now: “Lord, please help me to simplify my life and get out of my own way. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Today’s Declaration: “I am my Father’s daughter, and I do not have to put up with disturbances that attempt to enter into my life and steal my sleep. I may not be able to control everything, but God empowers me to address the issues that are my responsibility.”
Copyright 2022 by Kelly Goldson
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This was an entry from Kelly’s devotional book, I Am My Father’s Daughter. For my information, click the link below!
