The deceiver is getting pretty bold these days by not being shy on the different ways that he is trying to distract everyone from hearing God. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word influence as “the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway“. We now live in an era where we have influencers getting paid top dollar to distract people from life and essentially distract people from what God has planned for us. We have people breaking bones doing Milk Crate Challenge and even experiencing death by doing challenges like the Tide Pod Challenge. Being an influencer doesn’t make you a bad person since it’s ultimately up to the individual to decide what they do with their free time. Life is full of distraction and this is coming from a guy who has every streaming service available. Having every streaming service doesn’t make you a bad person but it makes distractions more available. We should just take entertainment in small doses and try to maintain our focus on hearing what God is trying to tell us everyday in life. I know we are all guilty of not focusing on God when life is good and we have no worries. However, when we are most distracted and distant from God, that is the perfect time for the enemy to roam around to see who he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). Please note that the Good Book say the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion” and not that the enemy is a lion. It is during these distracted times we are caught off guard and this false roar can send us trembling and life can knock us down on our backside. This is when we need to remember to be fearless and remember God will strengthen us (Isaiah 41:10). There will always be trying times on God’s green earth. Jesus Himself said we will have tribulation (John 16:33). This is meant to be a cautionary warning to all of us and to remind us He has overcome the world. There are things we just can’t control and the easiest example is seeing our loved ones pass away. We aren’t meant to outlive our parents and grandparents and we aren’t meant to outlive our pets. That is how God designed this thing we call life. Losing loved ones is one of the hardest things most of us will go through. It’s during these hardships that we need the least amount of distractions in our lives and we need our focus on God to remain sharp. We can find perfect peace when we keep our minds focused on God (Isaiah 26:3).
So who is your influencer? Are you going to wait until life knocks you down to find God’s peace or will you allow God to prepare you and sharpen you for the unavoidable tribulations life will present? Let’s not get caught off guard by letting the world influence us but let God be your beacon in life so you may have true peace during our time here on earth. God is good.
1 Peter 5:8 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
John 16:33 NKJV These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.