When I was in the supermarket I bought a bag of wonderful candies. They were so good! I loved sneaking one when Bill was not looking. Yet he also had to listen to me complain about the fat I see on myself. He is pretty tired of hearing about it let me tell you. I know that I am my own worse enemy and I needed to deal with this. So, yesterday morning I threw all the candies I had not consumed in the garbage.
We all have things we stumble over- whether it is simple as bad snacking to something that makes the journey of your life very difficult. Stumbling blocks like the inability to forgive or a tendency to see the negative when the positive stands so nearby if you would look just a wee bit harder.
For me I have a variety of stumbling blocks. Just when I have dealt with one, there is another one to stub my toe on! Last week I felt like God pointed out to me how I find it hard to let people go. Friendships change and people make choices I do not like. Yet they have the freedom to make them. Sometimes that includes me stepping aside and trusting them into the care of God. I find this hard to do so it becomes a stumbling block.
Last week God in His gentle way pointed this out to me. When I finally took the time to listen, I was able to talk it over with Him and give this matter to Him-taking my hands off.
The thing is you can never remove a stumbling block unless you are willing to acknowledge their presence. God is very patient Shepherd and willing to wait for us. If we wonder at times about our slow progress perhaps it is because there is a stumbling block on your path and you are not seeing it.
James is likely my favorite book in the bible. In the first chapter, verse 5 any of us whom lack wisdom are invited to ask God who gives generously to all and does this without finding fault.
The Lord is our burden bearer. Stumbling blocks not dealt with become burdens. Jesus offers to carry our burdens, but that means we need to acknowledge them, ask for forgiveness when we need to and then give them over. May times the Lord has pointed out to me I needed to take my hands off in order for Him to really take it.
May God give to you straight pathways today. May He give you courage to see what may be blocking your path and the faith to surrender it to Him.