Shake It Off

Paul could not be stopped by storms or a ship wreck. Paul and a group of soldiers, sailors and prisoners were shipwrecked on the Island of Malta. After all he had been through, now a viper jumped out and clung to him. A viper is a venomous snake with large hinged fangs.

Acts 28: 2-3, 5, "The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.....But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects."

This seems unfair for a man that is walking with God and honoring Him, doesn't it? But we were not promised a life of comfort and abundance. John 16: 33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." What we do know is that God was with Paul. Hebrews 13: 5, "God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'”

We need to be like Paul and shake off the viper that has a hold of us. Throw it into the fire to burn and cause no more harm. Do not post it on social media to poison someone else. Shake off the unforgiveness, unjustice, bitterness and any negativity. Paul continued to serve others and love God and God used this to make Paul extraordinary in the eyes of the others. This made way for them to receive the gospel when Paul shared.

Don't let unwanted things attach themselves to you. Shake them off!