When Satan Keeps Poking You
It can seem like Satan is poking us, putting negative things in front of us to distract us from thinking about that which is good.
I've never liked to drive. I was the rare teenager who didn't want to take driver's education and get a license. A few months ago, I was in a car accident. It shook me up, totaled my car, and left me with pain in my neck and shoulder.
Brush those negative distractive thoughts away and meditate on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have encountered three very serious car accidents on the highway. I get so emotional when I see these tragedies. I cry for people I don't know. I feel their (and their loved ones) pain and sadness for what they have gone through. I think about these accidents often, for weeks afterwards.
And then we have to get bumped at a gas station by a semi-truck. It wasn't serious at all, but had me shaking because of all I have seen and thought about lately.
"What is up with seeing all these accidents and then the incident with the semi?" I asked my husband. "It is like Satan is poking you, trying to distract you," he said.
My husband's comment made me think about distraction and what consumes my thoughts. I have been distracted by images of deadly car accidents lately. And my constant shoulder pain is a constant reminder of the accident I was in.
I am reminded of Paul's writings to the Philippians:
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8).
When thoughts of my accident come up, it distracts me and I realize I need not dwell on the negative. It’s as if “Satan is poking me” and causing distraction that I just don’t need. I’ve realized that when this happens, I need to brush those thoughts away and meditate on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
Do you ever feeling like you are being poked? We must turn our attention to what is good, and be consumed with those things and those thoughts and keep focused on what is truly important.
Course Content
Darlene Lausted
Darlene Lausted started attending the United Church of God in 2004 and was baptized in the fall of 2006. She grew up in Texas and now resides in Wisconsin with her husband Dan and her two daughters Eden and Jael.
