Divine in the Mundane Series - reposted from Anchor of Hope Safe Harbor Blog
God often uses the ordinary and mundane to teach me profound
lessons. I’d like to share a few with you. I hope they will be as helpful to
you as they have been for me.
I have a neighbor in my apartment building that seems to run
the TV nearly 24/7. It’s a constant mumble through the shared wall. While I can
often tune it out, sometimes it is a distraction.
This morning during my quiet time, it was a distraction that
turned into a lesson. When I tried to close my mind against it, God revealed
that this noise was similar to a tool the enemy uses. A constant murmur of lies
and twisted truths to distract and derail my thoughts, by hooking into old
experiences, hurts and insecurities. The enemy looking for a way to break my
focus on God and all He has for me.It can be very subtle, just below the threshold of conscious
awareness. Until a situation arises, and I overreact, often surprising even
myself.
Like during a text exchange with my daughter. I shared that
Lifeway was holding a “Kids’ Day” event on Saturday that I thought her girls
would enjoy. Then I went on with my work. A couple hours later, after I had
forgotten texting her, she replied that she doesn’t have the girls, that her ex
finally does. Suddenly I was in a panic, thinking that her ex had taken custody
of the girls away from her. How terrible! How unfair! She’s devastated; I’m
devastated…my emotions swirling like a hurricane.
Until I prayed for peace, and God reeled my mind back in. He
reminded me to check reality. I did and discovered she simply meant that her
ex’s schedule had settled down enough for him to have the girls with him this
weekend. Duh.
The enemy’s constant chatter hooked into an insecurity in my
mind, and I was over the edge. Believe me, the enemy is continually looking for
that sliver of an opening to hook into. Thankfully, God is faithful and
patient. He helps me learn and grow. Some old hooks no longer exist, and I’m
turning to God faster now, checking reality quicker. I've learned to combat the
incessant murmur with His word and praise songs and, most importantly, prayer.
Today God used the drone of a TV program through the wall in
my apartment to remind me of a tactic of my enemy. To remind me to be alert. To
remind me that He is always with me whether I’m near the edge…or over it.
How does God teach you? What mundane things or events has He
used to help you learn and grow?
Blessings,
Becca
