My four-year-old, Kaleb, was happily playing and having himself a grand old time. But playtime was cut a little short when he said, "Look! There's a bug on the ceiling," pointing out a tiny mosquito circling one of the light fixtures in my bedroom. Next thing I knew, Kaleb had gotten one of my flats and bent his knees while looking upward. He was positioning himself and angling his little body, so he could throw my shoe at the light to try to kill the bug.
In his four-year-old mind, that was a good idea.
When I noticed what he was doing, I quickly said, "Oh no, no baby. You can't throw the shoe! You'll break the light." I could tell by his dazed look that Kaleb didn't quite see my point. All he paid attention to was the fact that, there was a flying insect in the house he wanted to get rid of.
We can be just like that sometimes. We get so focused on killing the thing that's "bugging" us, that we don't consider the collateral damage it might cause. And I believe that, if more folks took time to examine their decisions more closely, they would quickly see that some things cause more harm than good.
This makes me think about how, in military operations, there are often inadvertent casualties and destruction inflicted on civilians and innocent bystanders. It's so sad when victims needlessly get caught in the crossfire. But that's the nature of war. When pursuing an enemy, sacrifices are made, all too often, through loss of life.
This, however, can be avoided in our daily lives if we allow God to lead us. You see, we can't go around declaring war and destroying people and things simply because we "feel like it." We need to be led by God regarding how to handle relationships, trials, and difficult situations, so we don't make a mess and create unnecessary casualties.
We have to watch what we say and do; think before we act; and always respond to God's prompting, rather than fleshly urges. Once again, let God guide and instruct you concerning how you should approach the issues you have to confront in your daily life.
If you seek Him, He'll give you direction and clarity. You just might find that, the little "mosquito" that's really bugging you and wearing on your nerves, isn't worth the collateral damage.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
