BEFORE THERE’S MORE DAMAGE ...

         

Just over a week ago,      we started hearing something rubbing on the back wheel of our Suburban. Since it had just been down an unpaved road, I thought that a small stone might have gotten caught in the brakes. With hopes of a quick fix, and hoping that I could get it fixed before more damage was caused, I took the truck in to the repair shop. Unfortunately, it turned out not to be a stone but a needed brake job, and the bill that goes with it. Regardless, I’m glad I took care of it … before more damage was done.

But, this lesson doesn’t only relate to vehicles … it also relates to life. Maybe it’s the “something’s not right” feeling that should send you to the doctor’s office to deal with some malady. Sometimes, a visit to the doctor’s office can spare you a trip to the hospital. As they say, “it’s better to be safe than sorry.” Perhaps it’s a police officer sensing “something’s not right” that makes them call for backup. I’ve heard it said that if a situation doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. In situations like these, it’s best to slow down or change your plan of action before there’s more damage.

On the spiritual side, that “something’s not right” feeling could be the prompting of the Holy Spirit, whether convicting of sin or guiding us in the path of truth: 

 John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: (ESV)John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth... (ESV)

The question is, how will we react when we get that “something’s not right feeling”? If it’s the Holy Spirit’s prompting, there’s a very good chance that Satan will do all he can to make us ignore it (the feeling) and the Holy Spirit. Contrary to the common saying, ignorance is not bliss! In most cases, ignoring the signs of trouble or the prompting of the Holy Spirit, results in damage that may have been avoidable.

So, today, my encouragement is to listen to that “something’s not right” feeling (be it physical or spiritual) and take corrective action before there’s more damage.

In His grip, 

Pastor Decker