Chained Up

Recently, my husband and I rented a motorcycle to tour the beautiful and mountainous area surrounding Seattle, Washington. As we rode on the Chinook Pass and travelled the steep road to Mt. Ranier, I noticed road signs that I had never seen while living in the warm and flat lands of Florida. The signs read
                                                                        
                                      Chain-Up Area Ahead

Warnings signs were posted for travelers to pull off the road and put chains on their tires in order to safely travel during the severe snow and ice seasons.

As I contemplated those signs, the Lord reminded me that before I am about to do something that would put unhealthy chains on myself He warns me. His word says 
 
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man and God is faithful who will not allow you to be
tempted beyond what you can handle, but with the temptation
will provide a way of escape so that you may be able to endure it.”
                                                                                 1 Corinthians 10:13

My own fleshly nature and/or the enemy will tempt me in my thoughts. Ultimately, I am the one who chooses my actions.  In the midst of being tempted, there is always a way of escape. The actions that I choose will either lead me to bondage in the Chain-Up Area or away from bondage and into freedom!

When I have gluttonous tendencies, buying a half gallon of my favorite ice cream “just to have on hand for company” when I really know I will eat it all myself- leads me to a Chain-Up Area. If I am not being disciplined in my spending, going shopping and spending frivolously leads me to a Chain-Up Area. If I am not being a good steward with my time, turning on the tv or getting on social media leads me to a Chain-Up Area. If I am struggling with insecurity, comparing myself to everyone around me leads me to a Chain-Up Area! And less obviously, if I am staying busy doing good things and do not have time to do the things that God has called me to do then this definitely leads me to a Chain-Up Area. My list and maybe yours is endless.

Thankfully, according to God’s word, whenever I am faced with temptation, there is going to be a way of escape.  I can choose to buy a banana rather than ice cream; I can choose to ask a friend to go for a walk rather than shopping; I can choose to read a book, clean or cook rather than watch tv or get on social media. I can choose to remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) rather than compare myself to everyone around me. I can choose for Him direct my steps (119:133) rather than tell Him what I will do. If I do not choose  to take the way of escape then I am choosing to pull into the Chain-Up Area and figuratively put chains on myself. Jesus Christ died for me and for you so that we may live a full and abundant life (John 10:10) and a life of freedom in Him (Galatians 5:1). What ways of escape can you choose to take?

Oh, LORD, the next time I am faced with temptation, help me take the way of escape and totally avoid the “Chain-up Area”.

Author

Beth Calhoun