Is that a cactus I see?

Photo credit: captainkimo

Sometimes we reach a place of discouragement, even a little depression or laziness. Often we don’t even have a good reason to feel down, we just have that feeling, that feeling of general averageness. It’s when you know that you can be driving in 5th gear, but you seem to just be stuck in 1st for no apparent reason. I think I hate the feeling of averageness so much, because I know that I wasn’t meant to be average. Every moment of the day I want to overflow with joy and love.

Jesus says: “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” That is what I want, life to flow out of me every moment of the day. There is no reason why we have to settle for anything less. Jesus says: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Every day Satan will try and steal from you. It starts off with a small lie which we believe and then snowballs into a negative feeling which can be very destructive. This can really be anything from “you know they don’t appreciate you at work”, “she really doesn't care about you” to "you didn't deserve such treatment, you need justice!". He sows a small seed which, if not stopped, can grow into a really sore topic. Let’s call it the cactus. That issue, even though it originated from a soft place, turns in to a prickly hard outer layer designed to keep people out.

So what does a cactus look like? (you might ask) Well, it can be anger, resentment or bitterness for example. Strong emotions like these will always block peace, love and joy in our lives. The best thing is to deal with the plant as soon as it starts growing, because the longer it grows, the bigger, harder and pricklier it gets.

It might be that you have been hurt, abused, mocked, disrespected or offended by someone and this has resulted in pain, which in turn has evolved into a cactus of an emotion. It might be that the entire rest of your life is in perfect order and that the cactus isn’t even an identifiable feature in your life or maybe it has grown into a centre piece. No matter how big or small the issue is it will drag you down in some or other way if not dealt with properly.

You will have to sit down and be honest with yourself. Listen to your heart and find the root of the emotion. I’m sure that it won’t always be easy, as some roots have grown deeper into our hearts than others, but let’s sit with Jesus and ask Him to help us identify and forgive.

I heard Joyce Meyer once say: “Not forgiving someone is like constantly drinking poison and hoping the other person would die.” (she was physically abused during her entire childhood, so she knows what she’s talking about)

It really just is not worth it. It is a decision. So make a choice today to stop letting past issue or current issues drag you down and dictate who you are today and choose to forgive and move on, even if it takes a while. How cool is it that when you cut open some cacti, you find water inside! Be refreshed! Rid your heart of all unwanted weeds and allow the love, peace and joy that Jesus has for you fill your heart and overflow. What you want is to live in a space of constant freedom. Close the door every time you see a lie walk past, don't invite him in or even entertain him, he is only there to steal, kill and destroy and you were made to have life and have it abundantly!

“and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor 3:17)