QUICKSAND

Weak areas in our lives are like a patch of quicksand. They may look OK from afar, but the closer we get to them, they look a bit suspicious. If we actually become caught in them, we are sunk.

Maybe your weak area is a bad temper or fear and anxiety, chocolate chip ice cream, a super-critical attitude, procrastination, a lack of love for others, extreme busyness, lack of truthfulness, laziness or . . . . Do any of these attributes sound like your weak areas?

For example, dipping our toes into the edges of anger or procrastination should be enough to see the danger of proceeding further into it. By God’s mercy, we will walk away from the danger to our souls. If, however, we ignore God’s Spirit speaking to us of the danger and if we wade in, we are lost as we slowly sink into the mire.

What are we to do with the weak areas of our lives? Just live with them? Or are we to do something about them?

God has the answer: We can avoid the quicksand entirely. Run, don’t walk, the other way. As scripture says:

“Run from all these evil things - follow what is right and good.” I Timothy 6:11.

If, however we find ourselves in quicksand because we didn’t run or made poor choices - then what?

1 Call to God for help. Don’t just call out once. Keep calling out to Him.
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses. He led them also by a straight way.” Psalm 107: 6 & 7

2. While waiting, surrender your life to God. Let Him lift you out by His hand.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God….. Draw close to God and He will draw close to You.” James 4:7 & 8

3. Watch for God’s help to arrive.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay;
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.” Psalm 40:1-2

4. Reach out to God when help arrives.
Being in a humiliating place calls for humility of attitude. Let Him reach down to you and draw you to Himself.
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God.” I Peter 5:6

5. Let God be your strength as you walk away from the sinking sand.
“He gives strength to the weary And to him who lacks might He increases power.” Isaiah 40:29

6. Don’t go back there - ever!
Again, obey the very first directive - “Run from all these evil things - follow what is right and good.” I Timothy 6:11.
.

Heavenly Father, cause us to listen to Your voice as we walk in this world. There are pitfalls all around and we know that it is only You who keeps us safe from them or saves us in the midst of them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.