Check Your Foundation
Photo by Milivoj Kuhar on Unsplash
This morning, I woke up to dozens of ants, crawling on my living room wall! Right in front of my desk, where I do all my studying! I was shocked and mortified by all those little critters, crawling everywhere. Such a pest they are! Where the heck are they coming from? I thought. As I looked closer, I saw that they were coming in through a crack in the window sill, right next to my desk. I'm going to have to seal that crack immediately!
We've been getting a lot of ants in the house this Spring. Our landlord says everyone is getting them because of the abundance of rain that we've gotten lately. The rain floods their nest, bringing them to the surface, and helping them find their way into our homes. Since their first appearance, we've especially been keeping our house clean and have even sprayed insecticide multiple times. So, it was extremely frustrating to see that our efforts weren't enough. (I know they are mostly harmless, but it's the worse when you are startled by one crawling on you!) Ugghhh!
As I think of these little annoyances, I also think of how they mirror my life (in this season). Those ants are just like the little frustrations that arise (out of nowhere I might add) in my marriage, family, and faith journey!!! Just when I think I'm doing everything right: praying, going to church, serving God and others, taking care of my children, forgiving offenses, loving my husband.....more problems, setbacks, and issues take shape! Just when I thought I had overcome something, something else emerges! The problems come crawling in!!! When will I get a break!?!
Can you feel the frustration? Well, I believe God is showing me a few things here. Is my (spiritual) house stable? Are there ways the enemy is getting inside? Are there areas in my life that I need to invite Christ into, to seal off points of entry? How do we even begin?
Firstly, we need to check our foundation. (Read about the house built on sand vs. rock in Matthew 7:24-27). Our we rooted in Christ and in the things of Christ? Is our walk with God wobbly, weak, cracked, or old? Is our spiritual health in need of restoration or repairs? Is our foundation neglected or forgotten? We must do our part and fix any little cracks or areas where we are inviting the enemy to harm, frustrate, or injure us. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You. (Psalm 89:14). Let these be our foundation. Are you dealing with unforgiveness, hatred, resentment, or envy? These could be potential cracks in your faith foundation, giving the enemy access to your home.
Is the enemy planting seeds of doubt or deception? We must allow the gentle convictions of the Holy Spirit to show us these things, teach us, and grow us. There are so many ways, little ways, the enemy gains access. I often have to ask God for forgiveness for trying to lead my own life and always wanting to be in control (Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 for more insight on foundation). This was hard to admit, but once I did, God brought healing through His mercy and forgiveness.
When we have areas that are off limits to God, that may be the exact place the enemy has taken you hostage; the area where he is tormenting you most. God can't help you if you won't let Him. Anger, guilt, shame, self-hate could all be ways the enemy is sneaking in and making himself at home. Un-confessed sin has an ugly way of hurting us, but God wants to set us free. All we have to do is ask for His forgiveness, which He so abundantly and willingly gives. 1 John 1:9 reminds us that if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.
Next, is the rain! This was a big part because it was what brought the ants up to the surface. To me, this represents the Holy Spirit. The rain can cause things to appear, things we didn't see before, flooding us with revelation. This can be annoying and difficult for us to confront, but also helpful and cleansing. Are there some things in life God is wanting you to deal with? Pride is something that I often deal with or impatience. Do you need to repair a relationship with someone? Ask for forgiveness? Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. If you are convicted, ask God for help. Unlike the devil, God wants to you to overcome whatever you are struggling with. How can we expect to overcome problems, if they never arise? Once you have sorted that out, ask God for forgiveness and invite Him into your home, to defend and protect you. Welcome the Holy Spirit into your life. Once we have examined our homes (foundation), and taken care of our hearts (cracks), by allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse us, we can ask God to police our homes. God wants to help you, not harm you.
Lastly, remember what we are told in 1 Peter 5:8-9: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. We have an enemy who isn't stupid. He's very aware of our weaknesses and struggles. Remember him in the Garden of Eden? Genesis 3:1 reads Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden.’” Now, I know some of you don't like hearing about spiritual warfare, but it's very real (watch the movie War Room)! We have to acknowledge our real life enemy, working day and night to destroy us, our homes, our relationships, and children. He comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). Whether you acknowledge him or not, he is still going to attack you. The sooner you realize this, the better off you'll be to resist him and his attacks. (Put on the full armor of God, Ephesians 6).
The only way we can resist Satan is to stand on our faith, Christ, our foundation. Life brings rainy and stormy seasons and also seasons of sunshine. Through these different seasons, our foundation can wear out. So, we must continually check our foundation and assess it for repairs. Take inventory of your spirituality. Invite God into the areas that you struggle with. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you errors or un-confessed sin. Stand firm and resist the enemy, and don't forget to ask for prayer when you need help. Don't go at it alone, that's what the family of God is for.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this message and for Christ, who is our rock and foundation. I also thank you for the readers. Please bless and minister those who are reading this. Show them any weaknesses or cracks in their foundation. Show them the ways the enemy is getting in. Holy Spirit, help them evaluate their spiritual walk, and bring to the surface any stumbling blocks or hindrances to their faith. Take residence within us and our homes. Remove the enemy from our homes, and protect us from the wicked plans and evil schemes of the enemy. We ask for the heavenly angels to guard us, and we plead the blood of Jesus over us. May we run to You and continually rely on You Lord, for Your help and guidance. Show us how to resist the evil one. Thank You for all of Your provisions and constant help. We give You praise! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
