Pebbles In My Shoes
Written by Heidi McLaughlin
Nothing more annoying than a pebble in our shoes. Relentlessly with every step they rub, irritate and hurt. While I’m out for a hike or walk, I always wonder: “How did it get in there?” Often, I keep walking thinking it will magically disappear. But it does not. I finally give up, take the time to unlace my hiking shoes, and shake the pebble out of my shoe. Phew, finally I am pain free and keep going.
We encounter many rocks and pebbles in our pathway as we wander through this present chaotic and confusing wilderness. Huge boulders of death, divorce, a child on drugs, bankruptcy and lingering illnesses. Like an avalanche they crash down on us threatening to destroy life as we know it. Strangely it is the small pebbles that chip away at our soul. Gnawing away at the unresolved hurts of disappointments, offenses, fears and unmet expectations. These small “pebbles” can keep us stuck in pain and subtly shape how we move through life.
They sabotage our freedom.
But the most dangerous is the toxic pebble of resentment. The merciless reminder of a hurtful conversation, being taken for granted, feeling overlooked and not heard and always doing my best and never feeling it was good enough. Sadly, nice Christian girls suffer silently. After all resentment is ugly, it shows a nasty side of our character. And thankfully it’s easy to hide. Paste a nice plastic smile on your face and the world is shiny and pleasant.
But it is dangerous.
God knew we would encounter these rocks in our pathway. Here is what He says: “Careful! I’ve put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, a stone you can’t get around. But the stone is me! If you’re looking for me, you’ll find me on the way, not in the way” (Romans 9:33 MSG). Did you get that? The stone is not IN the way; it is THE way to find God. It is obvious we need God to help us with the pebbles in our shoes. Often, we have lived with them so long we are not even aware that resentment has taken residency in our soul. So how do we let God help us find our way to freedom?
Stop and take the pebble out of your shoe. Recognize and name the resentment.
Is this a real or imagined offense? Is it a result of my own insecurity? Why do I think I am right?
Confront or let it go. Sometimes there is a real problem that needs to be addressed, or you were mistreated, abused or let down. Then confront the person or situation. If not, let it go.
It is time to forgive. You know this is not optional. The Bible is clear that we are to forgive just as Christ has forgiven us.
People and life will continue to annoy us, and resentment is the biggest destroyer of marriages and relationships. It’s sneaky and nasty. The stones in our pathways are there not to crush us or make us stumble but help us find our way to Christ and the freedom He died for us to enjoy.
