Pr. 21:10: “The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.”
Several years ago our house was robbed. If you’ve ever experienced that, you know how violating it is. Our daughter was still young enough to be in a crib and my husband worked 2nd shift. The first night after it happened, I was so afraid to leave my daughter alone in her room that I fell asleep on the floor in front of her crib until my husband came home from work. I knew it wasn’t entirely rational, but it made me feel better at the moment.
The fingerprints and an eyewitness linked the robbery to one of our neighbors. Our very own neighbor broke into our house and robbed us. We were never very comfortable in that house again. In fact, it wasn’t long before we sold it and moved.
There are times that the desire of sin and evil becomes so strong that no relationship is exempt. Perhaps you’ve experienced a different scenario where a neighbor, friend, or even a family member desired evil so strongly that they wouldn’t even spare you. Perhaps you’re the one who hurt those close to you.
Why does this happen? Sin. It causes our focus to become so narrow that we see only what we want and blinds us to others around us. We go so strongly after our sinful desire that anyone in our path is at risk of being hurt.
We can’t control others, but we can make wise decisions about our own actions. We can become so focused on God and His desires that sinful desires become less and less desirable. We can become so focused on the work to which He has called us that we see others and their needs with very clear eyes.
God’s plans for us and for those around us are for good. If we’re focused on Him and His ways, we won’t want to hurt others anymore. Of course, we will still have temptations, battles, and trials, but He is willing and able to aid us through.
When we desire God, others will find favor in our eyes, and perhaps that will be all the encouragement they need follow suit.
His,
jamie
considering the word 