HOW CAN I DIVIDE WHAT I CANNOT SEE?

Discernment has many facets.  One significant part is division.  Separating each of the component parts, which act and interact, enables you to discern their source. 

We have all probably heard the comedic routine about the downhill slide of irritation that ends with the proverbial ‘kicking the cat’.  In that scenario the ‘cat’ stands dazed and confused, wondering what it ever did to deserve such a fate.  Have you ever felt like that cat?

You may have felt just like that at one time or another.  In that dazed state, many people are likely to just retreat and sulk. 

FIRST, review the events.  List everything that occurred leading up to ‘kicking the cat’.  Look behind every important piece. 

Question yourself … Am I offended?  Am I thinking - What about MY rights?

Separate yourself … Picture a catfight … do you really want to jump into the middle of that?

NEXT, consider the other party/parties involved.  Perhaps you are reacting or interacting with a drama that is playing out in their life.  They may be reacting to events, and you just need to stand apart. 

Consider the possibilities that it is not about you at all . . . you are just the poor cat!

Consider your emotions.  For instance, you may be saying “he/she irritates me when he/she criticizes me; he/she always does that”.  Recognize that you too may be reacting to a history and not just the present situation.

If your reaction is coming out of your past, it will distort your perspective.  When this happens, more than likely everything will go downhill from there. 

A good example of this happened with me many years ago.  In my fear of being wrong on an issue with an important person in my life I said, “If I am wrong you will never trust me again!”  The response given surprised me, it was “I don’t trust you anyway, I trust God”. 

 I was responding to my father!  A friend’s insight brought this to light.  It took me back, but as I thought about it, I could see how true it was.  I was now clear to deal with the real root of the problem.

Whether there is one root problem or several layers, prayerfully dividing and separating the actions and reactions will allow God to bring His light. 

These are some of the natural components of divide and conquer.  Next, we will approach the demonic interaction in the events of our lives.

Next:  Demons Playing Hide and Seek 

*To learn more about walking and living in the Spirit go to Midwayministries.com