Beware the Pitfalls of Daily Life

(Background passage: Psalm 37:17-25) 

²³The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.  ²⁴Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.  -Psalm 37:24, 25 (KJV) 

Summer is about over and with the coming of fall my grass cutting responsibilities will be curtailed dramatically.  While I don’t mind a little yard work I honestly am not too upset about putting away the lawn mower for the winter.  I was reflecting on a time a few years ago when I was cutting the grass with the riding mower and an insect of some sort flew into my face.  As I was waving my arms wildly about and beating at the errant pest I nearly crashed the riding mower into the front porch.  It was close, yet I recovered control just in time.  How amazing something so small can create such havoc.   

As we go about our daily lives we do well to always be on our guard against the seemingly small pitfalls we encounter.  One minor frustration can be the last straw in a series of frustrations which sends us over the edge.  We may end up saying something we deeply regret later.  The person who catches us at a bad moment might wonder what she or he did to cause us to blow all our circuits and behave like a ranting raving lunatic.  I didn’t like the tone of her voice, he looked at me the wrong way, the sales clerk was rude, or the boss was condescending.  Any of these have the potential to send us spiritually crashing into the porch.   

The Word of God speaks of how the Lord orders the steps of those who trust in God.  We will encounter problems of all shapes and sizes, yet we maintain an even step as we go through our daily lives.  Through faith in Christ we are empowered to steadiness and stability which keeps us walking forward in the midst of our trials. 

Did you lose your temper today?  Take heart, for the Lord will teach you greater patience and endurance.  Did you behave in a manner which you now regret?  Find comfort in the all encompassing power of God’s abundant grace.  Resolve to trust the Lord and rise to the higher plane of Christ-like character and conduct.  In Christ there is peace, joy, and the overcoming power of walking in with Him. 

In the Lord we are not cast down completely, for the Lord holds us by His hand.  Claim the promise today.