Don't Fall for the Trap
Have you ever heard about how hunters used to trap monkeys? The hunter would fill a large barrel with bananas and then cut a small hole in the side of it that was just barely big enough for the monkey to get his hand and arm through. The monkey, completely unaware of the trap, would reach his arm into the barrel and grab one of those bananas. But when he would try to pull his arm out, he wouldn't be able to get his clenched fist and the banana back through the hole. The monkey wanted that banana so badly that he wouldn't release it. Consequently, the hunter would easily capture the monkey. It's interesting that at any point prior to the capture, the monkey could have easily let go of the banana and pulled his hand out of the barrel, but he was so focused on what was in his hand that he didn't even realize he was in a trap!
Many people live like that today—with both hands clenched, so focused on trying to hold on to what they have that they don't even realize that it is robbing them of the freedom and victory God has in store. Don't let that be you! Choose to release anything that's keeping you from God's best in your life. Don't get trapped because you aren't willing to change or reposition yourself or your thinking.
Remember, faith is a process. God leads us one step at a time. He will always put inside of you whatever you need to move forward. If you need strength, it's on the inside of you. If you need hope, it's on the inside of you. If you need joy, determination or encouragement, God has placed it within you. So tap into your God-given resources by faith because He will never ask you to do something that He hasn't already prepared you to do. Be open-handed and open-minded to what God is doing in your life today.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past (Isaiah 43:18, NIV).
Many people live like that today—with both hands clenched, so focused on trying to hold on to what they have that they don't even realize that it is robbing them of the freedom and victory God has in store. Don't let that be you! Choose to release anything that's keeping you from God's best in your life. Don't get trapped because you aren't willing to change or reposition yourself or your thinking.
Remember, faith is a process. God leads us one step at a time. He will always put inside of you whatever you need to move forward. If you need strength, it's on the inside of you. If you need hope, it's on the inside of you. If you need joy, determination or encouragement, God has placed it within you. So tap into your God-given resources by faith because He will never ask you to do something that He hasn't already prepared you to do. Be open-handed and open-minded to what God is doing in your life today.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past (Isaiah 43:18, NIV).