.Throw It Off

Acts 28:3-5  But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.  So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live."  But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

The Apostle Paul was shipwrecked on an island on his way to Rome, and was gathering firewood when he was bitten by a snake.  He could have griped or panicked; he could have blamed God saying “Why me?"  “But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm,” instead of letting it ruin the rest of his life.

My friend, have you been “snake-bit?”  No, not the kind that wriggles by on the ground, but one that slithers along on two legs; a human-snake!  How are you reacting?  Was there an initial feeling of dismay, followed by blaming and grumbling?   Hhmmm, so you’re human!

Have you thought of doing what Paul did and just "throw it off"?  Yes, throw off your past, and fix your eyes on the future!  Like the Apostle Paul, you may forget  “those things whiech ar behind,"  and reach "forward to those things which are ahead.”   You may  “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”(Phil 3:13,14) 

My friend, take off like a sprinter in the Olympics, and don’t turn back.  Don’t you dare let your past obsess you,  just "throw it off!  The Apostle Paul didn't stop remembering his past, he just "threw it off” and kept his eyes focused on God.  Paul would never have finished his mission, if he had let what had bit him keep hanging on, and neither will you;  just "throw it off!”

Remember how Joseph’s own brothers sold him into slavery, and an adulterous woman sent him to prison.  Nonetheless, when he reached the palace, he did not harbor an attitude of resentment or revenge; he became his brother's benefactor.  He had learned to just "throw it off.” 

Perhaps you are thinking, “I’ll be glad when I get away from the “snakes,” and stop getting bit.”  Dream on my friend!  You can be certain that you will continue to get bit, if you continue to do something significant for God; old slewfoot will assail you every chance he gets.

You have a choice, you can show fear, or exercise faith. Fear or faith, which will it be; which do you think will solve your problems?

It’s your decision!

PS: Send this to someone who is paralyzed with fear.