DANGER: Your Stuffing Shows

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9)

He snuggled and slept with it; lovingly carried it around everywhere; chewed and drooled on it; buried and dug it up repeatedly. Then one day, he pulled out stuffing, began dismembering it, and the final blow was to the squeaker—he took away the voice. As a caring pet owner, I replaced the chew toy for my one-year-old puppy because the little monkey brought him such joy, hoping he would learn to take better care of the next. Although I care about his happiness, the replacements will end if he keeps destroying his toys.

Despite the Holy Spirit’s warning of impending danger and God’s discipline, you let the enemy of your soul woo you from the Father’s care to follow selfish desires. He pretends to be your friend, playing alongside you as he subtly lures you into his world of darkness. Life was lovely until one day, he attacked, tearing you apart, pulling your “stuffing” out piece by piece. You feel immobilized. Your adversary has chewed and drooled on you; you feel like he buried you, unburied, and reburied you at his great pleasure. Satan wants you to believe he has taken your voice, and you are without hope. He may have cast you down, but he cannot destroy you.

Waiting until the enemy tugs at your “stuffing” gives him time to carry you off on an undesirable journey. Save yourself unnecessary pain and regret—heed God’s warnings and obey His instructions. If you cry out to God, He will take the brokenness of your life, cleanse you, and restore you (1 John 1:9). But if you continue in your stubbornness, the day may arrive when God says, “Enough”—there is a sin that leads to death (1 John 5:16–17). His longsuffering and repentance opportunities are not endless.