“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
Today’s Christian daily devotional
It all started out innocent enough; most tragic stories usually do.
Ronald and Michelle were finally in that ‘stable’ place in their life. Little Rebecca was three years old and finally potty trained. Up until then, they both felt as if their lives revolved around the bowel habits of their precious toddler.
Before she got pregnant, Shelly had been a paralegal at a prestigious law firm for eight years. The pregnancy caught her and Ronald by surprise, but they quickly adjusted.
Three years flew by quickly. Neither of them were truly prepared for the myriad of changes a child can bring.
As much as Michelle loved her precious little Becca; she was bursting at the seams to get back into the ‘real world’ of coffee, meetings and clothes that didn’t resemble pajamas. The endless cycle of diapers and laundry wasn’t exactly the break that Michelle had envisioned it would be.
So, Shelly was thrilled when her old boss offered her her former position. Michelle was finally getting part of her “old self” back, even if it was only part-time.
Because of the million things that needed to be done, she left the task of job of hiring the part-time nanny to Ron.
It sounded simple enough; but then, many challenges look innocent at first.
Ronald posted an online ad. Within a few hours, the phone was ringing off the hook. Setting aside three days to interview the top contenders, Ronald was overwhelmed with all the responses. There were also so many issues to consider: job experience, scheduling conflicts, gut instincts and chemistry.
This stranger would be in their family sanctuary for nine hours a day, five days out of the week! They had to be proven trustworthy on every level.
Never in a million years would Ronald have considered that this interview was more about his trustworthiness than anyone elses’.
There were two top contenders: Edith and Monica.
Edith was a retired nurse. She was almost over-qualified in the safety department. And although her demeanor was a tad on the chilly side, Ronald chalked it up to her Eastern European background.
He would have hired Edith on the spot… if Monica didn’t show up fifteen minutes before her.
Monica was in-between jobs, so her schedule was just as flexible. But, unlike Edith, she was bubbly, warm and accommodating. And, although Monica’s credentials didn’t match the actual job requirements, her vibrant good looks kept her in the running anyway.
Ronald was at a crossroad. He knew which choice to make if he wanted to make things easier for himself on a daily basis. He wasn’t disillusioned as to what was the best choice for his marriage and family.
But, sometimes the wisest thing to do is the hardest thing to do.
“She needs a job. I’m just helping the girl out.” Ronald felt his brain curl around his twisted justification.
Ron was quite aware of the real reason his fingers kept drifting back to the young blonde’s resume.
If you were in Ronald’s position, what would you do?
Matthew 26:41 gives us a clue on how to handle temptations. As Christians we are instructed to be alert, watchful and prayed up even before they happen.
This defensive strategy enables us to see a potential problem before it becomes an actual problem. As we lean on the Lord for guidance, He will help us to make the hard choices that will open up the way and navigate us to the narrow path. This will lead us into a brighter and easier future down the road.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Oh, I hate making the hard decisions. I guess that is why I keep running upon the same problems and issues in my life.
I want to do the right thing so bad. But, sometimes I feel like the temptations of life overtake my senses.
I let my lust lead my way. Lord, this is not freedom. This is slavery. I am a slave to my own lusts and the more I feed them, the more out of control I feel.
Help me. I realize that it’s pointless to keep trying to conquer my weaknesses on my own. I need you, Lord.
In Jesus’ precious name, bless me to be able to ground myself in the truth and promises of your word.
Help me to take Matthew 26: 41 to heart and really stay vigilant about my thought and prayer life.
I am tired of being the victim of my own whims. It is time for me to get serious about living a victorious life. In Jesus’ name, help me to simply rely on you and obey your word, everyday. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Matthew 26:41
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan
