As we move away from Summer and shift into Fall, critters often look for warmer homes, places that are protected from the elements and convenient food nibbles. If you live in an apartment setting, bugs can find their way from one domicile to others, creating unwanted infestations. I’m not a bug fan! Ants, mites, flies, cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, etc. don’t excite me, and I’m even more opposed to the smaller critters like chiggers and no-see-ums that can be very painful.
Also, did you know that there’s a brain-eating amoeba that has killed almost twenty people this year in Southern India? It’s been discovered that this amoeba gets access to the brain when a person swims or baths in fresh water. Thankfully, doctors have been able to reduce the high mortality rate that happens with this parasite, but it’s nonetheless disconcerting to learn about something that is so miniscule and destructive!
I suggest that we consider the exterminator idea for rodents, pests, amoeba, bugs and vermin that would like to take up residence in our thoughts and emotions. To this end, we would be wise to exterminate fear, insecurity, unforgiveness, jealousy, selfishness, anger and all things contrary to our identity in Christ. When I think about it, Paul challenges us to keep our souls settled on the Holy Spirit so we can have life and peace. In contrast, the mind set on the flesh leads to death, as we read in Romans 8:6-8.
Sometimes, however, when I try to exterminate fear or squash insecurity, it seems to pop up despite all my vigilant efforts. What I’ve found to be all the more effective is to keep my thoughts fixed on the Word and rooted in the Spirit to cultivate stronger connections with God and let His Word become more rooted in my life. I’ve come to deeply value meditating on the Word, memorizing chapters and letting my mind circulate around Jesus’ teachings. So when I find myself getting anxious, stressed, afraid, insecure, jealous, etc., it’s really helpful to pull up in my thinking whatever verses I’m memorizing at the time.
For example, I’m presently memorizing Psalm 103, albeit very slowly. The speed at which I memorize doesn’t bother me because my goal isn’t the achievement of memorizing but rather the experience, depth, connection and grounding that is maintained in me when I “Let the Word of Christ dwell richly in me” (Colossians 3:16a). I suspect that it will take me quite a while to memorize Psalm 103, and I really appreciate the richness I gain from letting the verses throughout this chapter become infused into heart and soul.
I also find it really helpful to review my verses if I wake up in the night, when I’m waiting in line for something, taking a walk, sitting on an airplane and flying somewhere, swimming some laps and lots more. When I let God’s Word get cultivated in my thoughts, I spend less time exterminating pesky flesh vermin. I find that cultivating is lots more enjoyable and effective than exterminating!
