Warning

¹⁴ Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” Gospel of John

Those words were spoken to the man healed by the pool of Bethesda. He'd whined to Jesus about others always cutting on front of him and stealing his healing. So Jesus blessed him with new legs. And then He sought him out later with this warning after the church leaders had put the squeeze on him. Jesus gave me the same warning today.

¹² Thus says the Lord:

“Though they are safe, and likewise many,
Yet in this manner they will be cut down
When he passes through.
Though I have afflicted you,
I will afflict you no more;
¹³ For now I will break off his yoke from you,
And burst your bonds apart.”

         Nahum 1

I have returned to my former sin and it is killing me worse than before. My "safe and likewise many" patterns of self protection - cowering in fear from my husband, binge eating, reading, tv, movies, busyness of any kind. This dark and destructive path is my way of hiding and protecting my own heart. HE wants to pass through and break the yoke from me and burst my bonds apart.

I've run and hidden from any honest discussion with hubby since our last argument. We have lost so much ground over the last year. Part of that is my sin, some is his, some is the enemy and some neglect. I can only control my piece. If God is speaking this to me, then He will be with me as I confront my sin and walk a new way. I will be hurt again. But I can't protect myself. It doesn't work.

Strong and powerful Papa - protect my fragile heart. Give me words to express my heart (and Yours). Be with me in the battle and heal my wounds. Let your words be strong and his be weak. Break the yoke and burst the bonds that hold me captive.