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Hope for the Day

Stop Before It's Too Late

Diane Houghtaling
Posted 11/25/22

Last month my husband was working hard at cutting and splitting wood. The log pile was high so he started early and kept going. But later in the day as he worked with the chainsaw to cut more rounds, …

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Hope for the Day

Stop Before It's Too Late

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Last month my husband was working hard at cutting and splitting wood. The log pile was high so he started early and kept going. But later in the day as he worked with the chainsaw to cut more rounds, he felt something pull in his back. He stopped to rest for a few minutes, then continued.

He did this several times, cutting then resting more, until his back finally gave out. He had a hard time walking back to the house, and then couldn’t get up out of his chair. I had to get out a walker for him to get around as the pain was so great. He didn’t stop before it was too late.

My husband was fortunate that it was only a pulled muscle that healed. A friend told me of her nephew who also pushed through the pain of cutting and splitting wood until it was too late. He was out of work for three months, had to have back surgery, and still lives with pain.

There are times when we do need to push through the pain, such as times of heartbreak, grief, and emotional pain. Then we need to rely upon God to get us through. But physical pain is a warning that we need to pay attention to. Our bodies are trying to tell us that something is wrong and to stop before it’s too late.

There is also another time when we must pay attention and stop before it’s too late. We must always beware of giving into temptation that leads us to sin, which can also bring injury and devastation to our lives.

If you don’t stop before taking that second or third look at a beautiful woman or handsome man who is not your spouse, you risk destroying your marriage and family. If you don’t stop short of that second look when seductive photos pop up on your phone or computer screen, the temptation could lead to an addiction.

We should live our lives with integrity, honesty and a godly character. When we give into the temptation to cheat, steal or defraud others in order to keep our jobs, we pay the price in the long run when our character is destroyed.

Giving into peer pressure can be a great temptation that leads you to places you do not want to go. If you don’t stop before it’s too late, you may end up ruining your life and relationships, and end up in circumstances you never dreamed were possible.

How do we fight temptations to sin and stop before it’s too late? God’s word gives us insight and clear instruction if we are willing to heed the warnings and get the help we need. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 26:41 to watch and pray so they would not fall into temptation. We need to be alert to the temptations around us and pray when tempted.

I Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” But that’s only if you determine to turn to God for His help and the way of escape He provides. Stop before it’s too late.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.

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