Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box

We’ve all been there.

Someone makes a comment—seemingly innocent—and suddenly, our blood pressure spikes. A minor inconvenience, like a long line or a misplaced item, sends frustration surging through our veins. That one person at the event, who we had to sit next to for hours, who was bathed in perfume? Why does it feel like a personal attack?

Why do little things set us off so easily?

Because wounds make us prickly.

When our hearts are tender from past hurts, even the smallest friction feels like sandpaper on an open wound.

When we are highly wounded, we tend to be highly reactive. And unfortunately, that reactivity can cause us to miss what God is trying to give us.

The Enemy’s Strategy: Offense as a Distraction

The devil is no amateur. He knows exactly how to get us tangled in frustration right before we’re about to receive something life-changing from God. He doesn’t need to launch an obvious attack—just a series of small irritations. For example, someone cutting us off in traffic.

Before we know it, our emotions are yanked around so violently that, by the time we actually sit down to receive from God, our minds are still spinning. The special event we’ve been waiting for starts, but we’re stuck stewing about the breakfast that was cold or the way someone looked at us funny.

We don’t even realize we’re missing the treasure God placed before us.

God’s Strategy: Healing Through His Presence

But here’s the truth: 

God has far more resources than the enemy does.

While the devil schemes to keep us distracted, God is working to draw our attention to Him. He’s constantly revealing His nature—His provision, His wisdom, His strategies. He’s surrounding us with evidence of His goodness, if we’d only pause long enough to notice.

And He knows exactly what kind of hug your soul needs.

Not the generic kind. Not a Hallmark-card sentiment. But the deep, personal embrace that reaches into the very places you’ve been hurting.

Preparing Our Hearts to Receive

Would you be willing to press in for that kind of embrace from God?

In the next 24 hours—ask God to meet you in a fresh way.

Ask Him to calm the firestorm inside you.

Ask Him to help you walk in with your trust in Him at an all-time high—not because everything in life is perfect, but because He has already held you, comforted you, and prepared you to receive.

Because here’s the thing: the people who need a heart transplant the most are usually the ones who are most easily offended. And we all, at some point, find ourselves in that category.

But when we let God heal those wounds, when we invite Him into those raw places, we don’t just avoid irritation—we position ourselves to receive life-transforming ministry from the Holy Spirit.

So, will you press in?

Ask Him for that bouquet of holy hugs today.

Because when we do, we arrive to life ready. Ready to hear, ready to receive, and ready to walk away changed.

PS. Want to pray for that person who is offended by you?

Ask God to give them a holy hug for 24 hours. 😉

Seriously, do not discount this.

Need help further? There’s low hanging fruit waiting for you.

See also: How to pray for a bully?

Dig Deeper: “God, Show Me What You See”

Merri Ellen Giesbrecht / www.merriellen.com