Mark 4:19: “But the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”
The NLT words Mark 4:19 this way: “But all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.”
Living real life in today’s economy and culture can be challenging. Relationships can get sticky. Worries play mind games and fears can take root.
Then we women compare ourselves to other women that appear to be more affluent, successful, and smarter. We mistakenly think their grass is greener. We feel less worthy. These are pure lies from Satan we all too often fall into and believe.
2 Corinthians 4:17 brings me back to reality: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” “Momentary” is the key word.
What is your momentary affliction you are experiencing and living through right now? Will it be brief?
Dwell on these verses for the distractions of life:
- Is it financial?
Psalm 50:10: “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.” Remember the old hymn, “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills . . . ” God owns it all! His wealth is more than we could ever fathom.
Psalm 50:14-15: “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
Genesis 22:8a: “Abraham said, “God will provide for himself a burnt offering my son . . .” God will provide for you just as he did for Abraham, and just when it was needed. Pray for that. Then place your faith and hope in God’s forthcoming provision.
Luke 12:24: “Consider the ravens; they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse or barn, yet God feeds them. Of how much more value of worth are you than the birds!”
We have had financial hard times throughout our 42 years of married life together. When we moved from Minnesota to California, the economic differences were astounding. Our daughter was then in Junior High and our son was in High School. It was like starting over. We did survive and God did provide for our needs.
Steve was laid off from the company that moved us out here from Minnesota to California, after working for them for five years. The company split into two companies and had a negative cash flow. Then it was discovered that an employee had embezzled money. That was out of our control. But we survived with God’s direction and plan.
- Do you need to forgive someone?
Matthew 6:15-16: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Mark 11:25: “And whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses.” My mind just stopped on the phrase: “whenever you stand praying, forgive . . .”
Romans 12:9: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “I will repay says the Lord.” Yes, let God’s justice take care of the culprit.
- Physical pain or the possibility of a serious illness?
Psalm 16:1: “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.”
Psalm 23:2; 4a: “He makes me lie down in green pastures. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me . . .”
Psalm 31:14-15a: “But I trust in you, O LORD: I say “You are my God.” My times are in your hand.”
- The relationship that doesn’t appear salvageable?
Numbers 6:26: “The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Ephesians 6:12: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Think about the most difficult person, circumstance, pressing problem in your life right now. They are not the real enemy, and they are not your actual problem.
Whatever it is, the enemy wants to distract you from hearing God’s voice. He is trying to keep you so busy that you forget that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.
Verses hidden in your heart are the ammunition you need to combat and win. They will squelch the doubts.
God just asks us to obey Him first and in all things. Our ears need to be waiting to hear Him point us in the right direction. We just have to ask. He has the solution. But He needs and requires our full obedience or we will miss out on what He ultimately has in store for us.
Yes, how the worries of our life choke out the truth from God’s Word and become an obstacle in living out the real life, one day at a time, in the path that God has chosen for each one of us.
One last verse I want to leave with you is 1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”
When the impossible financial dilemmas come, read God’s Word, pray, and give Him your sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Whenever you pray ask yourself is there anyone you need to forgive?
Physical health issues? There is a time and place to ask friends and elders of your church to pray for you.
Relationship issues? Commit them to God and let God balance the scales. Let it go!
- Worries of life.
- The lure of what I don’t have.
All are distractions that will choke and blind me to eternal concerns. I have to keep developing a heavenly mind control and reboot my mind with the truth from God’s Word. I must do this daily.
Don’t let the distractions of life lead you down the wrong path. Ask God to tell you what only He knows. Listen. Obey. Have faith. Have hope. Live in expectancy and in anticipation that God is answering throughout the activity of your life right now. God will answer your momentary affliction and is preparing you for His eternal glory, sister.
Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”