Regarding Avoiding Self-Sabotage…

If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. (Proverbs 1:17, NLT)

The TV show “Are you Smarter than a 5^th Grader” where adult contestants, pitted against a panel of actual 5^th graders, tried to answer questions drawn from elementary school textbooks, was very popular. It had a good run, lot’s of fans, and high ratings. It lasted more than four seasons.   

When it comes to avoiding traps this proverb might be called, “Are you as Smart as a Bird?” Solomon said when a bird sees a net or trap being set out for it, it knows to stay away. Instinctively the bird will avoid the trap.

What about humans? What about Christians? Are we as smart? Do we recognize the things that would trip us up and avoid them? Do we know enough about ourselves to know our “triggers” that lead us down dangerous paths? The things that trap or trip us up are not always the things that come from the forces of evil or due to enemy strategy, but sometimes start within our own person and weaknesses. Sometimes we do plenty of things on our own to trap ourselves.

During a trip to the grocery do we load the cart with things we know will sabotage our need to have a balanced or more healthy diet? If we have problems being disciplined with spending do we frequent the mall or browse shopping sites online? If we have a problem with pornography do we flirt with the dark web? If we have a problem with drinking too much do we keep the cabinets well stocked with liquor?

God has given us everything we need to know and every strength we need to recognize and avoid our triggers and those things that will end up trapping us and when we are feeling especially weak the Lord is willing to help us and strengthen us.

We all have weakness in some area, maybe it’s with our flesh, or character, or some area of life, it’s good when we know what they are. Maybe “Am I Smarter than a 5^th Grader” might not be the question we need to ask ourselves, but “Am I At Least as Smart as a Bird?” Let’s Pray,

Depending on how long I’ve been out of school I might not be as well studied and up to date in some areas academically, Lord, but I can be as smart as a bird when it comes to avoiding traps. Thanks for equipping me with everything I need to avoid traps and self-sabotaging. Amen

Reflective Questions for Self and Soul-Tending:

Are you as smart as a bird when it comes to avoiding traps or self-sabotaging?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of self and soul-care?