“I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted” (Psalm 88:15 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).
This Psalmist had endured affliction from an early age. His remembrance of it seems to go back to childhood. His whole life had been a life of trouble and sorrow. He was crying out for help.
Because of all of the pain he felt, he was distracted. The affliction dominated his thinking. Physical suffering will affect our minds. Our thinking will be impaired if we let it do so.
The enemy of our soul would love to get us distracted and keep us down and discouraged with what is going on around us.
A strong faith built on a solid foundation will prepare us for the bed of affliction.
Jennifer, our daughter in the Lord, was born with cerebral palsy. She is crippled and unable to walk but her trust in God is resolute. She fights distraction constantly. Because of her faithfulness to God, she inspires those she comes in contact with. She has chosen not to allow her situation to keep her from losing sight of God.
Joni Eareckson Tada is another young lady who decided that her unfortunate accident was not going to drive her to distraction. She chose to be an encourager. She is a quadriplegic who is an author, radio host and founder of Joni and Friends.
We will all have opportunity to be distracted. Decide now how you will handle it!
Prayer: I might be down today, Lord, but don’t let me get distracted by the circumstances around me. Help me keep looking up even when I’m down.
Devotion by Kaye Singleton
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