Trapped
Psalm 31:4 “Keep me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.”
Did you ever feel trapped? Were you ever stuck someplace and unable to get out? Even for just a few minutes…which in retrospect seems like an eternity.
On a recent trip to California, I was walking along the beach in Carlsbad enjoying the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks. It was a beautiful, sunny day with temperatures in the mid seventies. I was walking along the rocks on the coastline-the rocks towered over 30 feet high. As the waves rolled in, there was nowhere to go to avoid the water. The waves came in and splashed me as I was leaning against the rocks. I realized if you were stuck here when the tide came in you would be trapped. The only way out would be to swim in the water or climb up the rocks.
In life, we can often feel trapped by our sin. We may be overcome with the sin of alcoholism, pornography, infidelity, gossip, lying, or other sinful behaviors.
When you are feeling trapped by sin, turn to God for guidance and direction. Take it one day at a time and continually lift up your prayers to Him.
Remember that God is a loving God and he forgives you for all your sins and unrighteousness. For we all fall short of the glory of God, but Jesus died on the cross so that our sins may be forgiven. “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:17)
How do you get out of feeling trapped?
Pray. Start with this from Isaiah 54:17a, “No weapon that is formed against thee [Satan] shall prosper…” Pray to God and ask him to defeat Satan in the name of Jesus and help you turn from sin. Seek his forgiveness. Then make the deliberate action of turning away from your sin (repent) and endeavor to separate yourself from this behavior.
If you need more help understanding the grace and forgiveness of God, or if you need help with a chronic sin, please feel free to reach out to us. We are a church of broken people (read not sinless) who love the Lord and want to help each other overcome.