Because we become busy and overwhelmed with life, we sometimes overlook the small things in our lives, that if left unchecked, can grow into something we can no longer manage....an out of control monster.
Song of Solomon 2:15 tells us to “catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our little vines have tender grapes.” Ladies, as we go about our busy days ~ especially during this holiday season~ we must be careful to avoid the small foxes - those little issues in our lives that we don’t deal with because they seem insignificant now, but later on down the road…they can turn into BIG PROBLEMS!
Some of us keep hitting that perpetual brick wall…why? Because we have yet to master those small things, those little foxes, those heart issues that will ultimately trip us up if we refuse to deal with them. You know…your lack of confidence, that you don’t ask God to help you with - can turn into downright unbelief; your refusal to show kindness, if left unchecked - will eventually cause your heart to grow bitter; or that murmuring and complaining, that you don't restrain - can grow into disrespect and dishonor. We’ll eventually get to a place where we WILL have to stop ignoring our issues and face them head on…US AND GOD…one on one. Listen, it is OUR RESPONSIBILITY (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to deal with them – not our relatives, not our friends - but OURS. A piece of advice my husband once shared...“if we’re still dealing with the same issues we’ve dealt with 1, 2 or even 5 years ago…it’s not other people who are the problem, it’s US”. The sooner we realize this, the better off we’ll be.
Because our hearts are so tender, we as women were never made to carry such burdens in them. Our Heavenly Father loves us so very much, He desires to see us live in the freedom He has already given us!! God wants His girls to once and for all conquer those little things in our lives that keep us from realizing and experiencing what it truly means to walk in the fullness of Christ! Ladies, we must always be aware of those little foxes and catch them before they make big messes in our lives! In the famous words of Barney Fife, we must “nip it, nip it in the bud”...and do it NOW. Love you and call you blessed!
I have a different name for those little foxes. I call them smokies. I think it originated from a book a read - where a puff of smoke saunters into your sub-conscience to persuade to do something you shouldn't or keep from doing something that you should. Like you said, it is very important to recognize that moment.
ReplyDeleteI can just hear ol' Barney saying that phrase! Yes, I grew up on Andy Griffith. ;) I must say, you are so right about all this. I can think of a few areas in my life that I need to nip in the bud. Thanks for the reminder to do so. XOXO
ReplyDeleteGreat message and I love the Barney pin :) Very timely post for me personally but a good one for your audience going in the new year. Great recyclable, lol!
ReplyDeleteHi Michell! I can relate to this! Especially in the low self-esteem department. No one can make me feel like God's child if I don't accept it first.
ReplyDeleteI really like that image of the little foxes. They are so cute aren't they? But so destructive.
My husband loves to watch the old shows, so I can just hear Barney's admonishment, just like Meredith. I don't think I'll hear it in quite the same way ever again :)
Blessings,
Ceil
A great word and reminder. We must face the things that are holding us back; even if these things appear "small", they can manifest themselves in many forms.
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