I picked up a couple of splinters in the palm of my right hand last week. Because I was out of town, I didn’t have anything with which to remove them. Since they were small I hoped they’d work their way out. Instead they grew tender, red, and swollen.
By the time I returned home the swelling was gone. Maybe I could ignore them after all. Maybe they’d disintegrate, I reasoned. But after a couple more days, I knew I had to deal with them.
With needle and tweezers I fumbled to remove them. But since I had to use my left hand I quickly realized I needed help. My son has patience and good vision, so I went to him. In a few minutes they were out.
The same day I dealt with my hand, God dealt with my heart. I’d watched Shark Tank the previous night and found myself wishing I had the business skills of those billionaires. It sounded fun to dream up ideas that take off and make lots of money.
The next morning, my personal Bible study took me to James 4:1-10. As I read it, Shark Tank came to mind. I realized the primary reason I wanted those skills was I believed that if I could do what they do, I’d never worry—at least about money.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with making a hearty income. But my Bible reading that morning reminded me that Jesus, not money, is the antidote for worry. The reason to earn more is to be generous, not to be independent from God (2 Cor. 9:8,11; Ephes. 4:28).
Jesus wasn’t withholding happiness from me. He wants me to enjoy life and be free from worry more than I do. He was protecting me from false idols that rob me of true joy and security (Matthew 6:19-34, Luke 12:15).
I’ve learned it’s impossible to live in the world and not pick up spiritual splinters. We don’t need to be ashamed of them. We just need to deal with them. Unattended, spiritual splinters fester as ingratitude, comparison, envy, distractions, insecurity, stinginess, worry, broken relationships, and fears.
I needed help removing the splinters from my hand. I needed more help with the spiritual splinter I didn’t even know existed.
God’s Word penetrated deeper than an MRI and exposed my problem. My High Priest then tenderly freed me from this irritant.
Do you need help spotting or removing a spiritual splinter? Your High Priest stands ready to serve you. Will you come boldly to His throne of grace today?
“For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are. He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done.
But Jesus the Son of God is our great High Priest who has gone to heaven itself to help us; therefore let us never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses since he had the same temptations we do, though he never once gave way to them and sinned. So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need” (Hebrews 4:12-16 TLB).
What feelings or thoughts alert you to splinters? Click here to comment.
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Blessings,
Debbie W. Wilson
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I think worry tends to be the splinter I need His help with most. I have watched Shark Tank and seen some of those entrepreneurs and their amazing ideas and thought – why can’t I come up with something like that? I am learning (from experience) we can think our motives are pure but until He shines His light on them and reveals them for what they truly are we can deceive ourselves. Or maybe that’s just me.
No, Ann, it’s not just you! I think we all have reoccurring splinters. Topic for another day. Actually, the one I spoke of used to come more often. So it is not new. There is always something to worry about if we don’t guard ourselves.
Wonderful post, Debbie! When you spoke about “Shark Tank”, I totally understood because I have watched that show many nights and thought the same thing. But, aren’t you thankful that in any and every situation, JESUS is enough and in HIM we lack nothing?! I’m so grateful that HE is sufficient! … It has been a blessing to visit with you, Love. Thanks so much for sharing! GOD bless you, beautiful friend! 🙂
Tai, I am very thankful He is enough and is able to exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine! Thank you so much for your encouragement and insight!
Love the image of a spiritual splinter! Great reminder here. #livefreethursday
Thank you, Beth.
Beautiful article, my favorite part was, “Jesus, not money, is the antidote for worry.”! I found you through Testimony Tuesday, and I downloaded Jeff’s book. Thanks for the heads up.
Thank you Sarah. Jeff is doing a video series too. I’ll email you the link. I read his book last weekend. I’ve enjoyed and learned a lot from him.
I can remember mentors from my youth telling me to “keep short accounts with God,” and your words are much more picturesque in describing the same thing. We so need God’s MRI to penetrate to the depths of our soul. What a practical and helpful post!
Thank you Michele. I just enjoyed your post on when you don’t know what to pray!
Hi, Debbie. 🙂 I like how you connected spiritual splinters to physical ones, and especially the idea that if we just ignore them, they fester. You so gently reminded us that our Father God is always patient and willing to help rid us of those bothersome problems. Thanks for sharing with us at Grace and Truth last week!
Jen @ Being Confident of This
Amen! To understand us, God walked on this muddy/dusty road, to understanding our sufferings and to also give us hope that we are headed to glory. 🙂
The more I learn about myself and the more I understand outwards what have been explained for centuries 🙂
The idea of a Splinter is to fragment what is already whole at the beginning. The concept of thinking that Jesus is solely external is a fragmentation of your own Inner Divine Power.
Might it be Conscious or Unconscious, people have a tendency to search for their Own Power outside of them, thinking the key is somewhere out there.
The writings needs to be taken more than just words as they are often archetypes and metaphors of what’s inside. As Above so Below, As Outside so Within.
He might have physically came here on Earth as he might have been Channeled through an Open Vehicle (Receptive Human Being). No matter how and when, what matters is that every Human Being on Earth have the Potential to be Divine and this is what every Religions tries to explains in their own Perception.
All Religions are good as long they Unite People Together, when it’s not the case then it’s no longer good. And when it’s not, usually it’s individual(s) trying to force their own point of view over other different perceptions that might be as good or even more.
With that said, Peace & Love, might the Light enfolds You and show you the Divine way 🙂