Pesty Problems

Around the back door in our home, small pests have started to intrude. At first, it began slowly, with just one or two ants here and there and maybe a random beetle. But, over time, it has worsened and today we have what looks like a small ant village on the wall inside of our home.  Yes, you read that right, inside our home. The exterminator is coming on Thursday.

Our spiritual lives can be compared to these intruding pests. Are pests eating away at your spiritual life? I know it sounds like an odd comparison, but it can truly be an eye opening one, if you give it some thought.

There are lots of different pests that can eat away at our spiritual lives and will creep ever so slowly into our hearts; the exact place where Jesus is suppose to live and to reign, but somehow the pests are coming in and trying to push Him out.

You see these pests work on your heart slowly, just like the ants that worked on my door. These pests can come in many forms. They can include: distractions, busyness, and negative thinking.

Distractions are a huge part of life.  It could be the telephone, the computer, or the kids; yes, even good things in life can be a distraction to us many times.  Therefore, we often cannot get rid of the distractions. You certainly wouldn’t be likely to get rid of your kids, but you can learn to work around them, even with them. Remember this, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You” Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

Busyness is another pest that can eat away at your heart and mind causing you to hurt spiritually. Sometimes even the good things that we do in life can cause us to spend too much time on “other” things and not enough time on the most important thing, our relationship with God. The Bible encourages us to “ seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV) So even in the busyness of projects, family and work we should take time to seek Him daily.

Negative thinking is a pest that alludes so many of us. Even with Christ in our hearts, our minds are often swayed by the pests of negative thoughts. God wants us to “be joyful always, pray continually.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (NIV) It is important to remember both parts of that. Negative thinking often comes in the form of “worry”.  Many of us assume this is “the way we are”, but the Bible tells us plainly in Scripture that this is not so. We can be joyful always through prayer. Prayer takes away our worries, whereas worrying only invokes fear into our hearts.

Don’t let these pests eat away at your heart and clog your spiritual arteries. Don’t let them push Jesus out of his rightful place on the throne in your heart and life. Call in the exterminator, and have Him make sure those pests are driven away.

Photo Credit: prashanthk

Guest Blogger Alyssa Avant is a Christian speaker, writer and blogger.  She is the owner and trainer at FaithLeaps, a membership training site for those looking to “take the leap of faith into speaking, writing or ministry”.  http://FaithLeaps.com