5 Ways We Can Stumble
TODAY’S PROVERB: Then you will walk on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. Proverbs 3:23, TLV
What makes us stumble? In today’s proverb, I love the analogy of walking in safety, and our feet avoiding impediments that can cause us to stumble. It got me thinking, what are the things and ways that we can trip. Then, how are they analogies of the spiritual things that can cause us to stumble in our faith journey?
Here are five ways I thought of that we can trip, stumble, or fall (I would love to hear yours):
- Obstacles we don’t see. Wisdom teaches us how to understand “cause and affect.” There are repercussions that occur with certain actions and behaviors. Those who do not understand this do not “see” that their actions will have consequences — obstacles that will keep them from moving forward. They wonder why they keep stumbling. Yet, the answer is right before them.
- Weakness or tiredness. We could be very ill or weak physically, and be strong spiritually. The reverse is true. Our strength resides in our LORD. Our weakness is make perfect in His almighty-ness. When we depend upon ourselves — when pride alters our faith — we are weak. A simple journey can be fraught with peril when we are spiritually tired or frail.
- The path is unsafe. Sometimes our “path” is dangerous. Difficult though it may be, with wisdom, we are able to navigate the risky journey because we are called to it. However, to take a perilous path for the sake of adventure or whim is testing the LORD (Matthew 4:7), and Yeshua was pretty clear that we shouldn’t do that.
- Ignore warnings. The Holy Spirit is our greatest early warning system. When we get a “check in our spirit,” when there are “red flags” that alert us danger is ahead, paying attention to these warnings will keep us from a whole range of difficulties. Honing our discernment muscle will enable us to better heed all the ways our Father provides protection for us.
- Ignore wise counsel. So, even if we miss all the Holy Spirit’s promptings, our Father is gracious enough to give us wise brothers and sisters in faith. Do we seek wise counsel? Then, do we follow it?
This world is filled with challenges and evil that is intent upon tripping us up. These things can cause us to doubt the love and power of our Heavenly Father. We can avoid so many of these attacks by preparing our hearts, minds, and bodies with wisdom, knowledge, discernment, and understanding.
When we operate in wisdom and discernment, we’re more likely to “see” the pitfalls and stumbling blocks ahead.
However, my friends, even if we don’t, our Heavenly Father is still there to help us through our mistakes. He will use these challenges to teach us. Why? Because He loves us, of course.
May we “see” the stumbling blocks so we can avoid it, my friends.
Proverbs 3:23 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs
