Spiritually Claustrophobic

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14

There are times in life when we have a choice: take the easy way or the tough way.

The easy way is usually the most appealing and will ultimately end badly, but this post is about the tough way and its toughness.

When we do decide to make the right choice, and enter that narrow gate, we enter an area of "spiritual claustrophobia."

Now what does that mean?

You tell me. ....

allright, i know what it means, i was just testing you.

Spiritual claustrophobia is when we enter that narrow gate and find ourselves suddenly surrounded by opposition on all sides and there seems to be no end in sight, except going back.

Example: I set down to write this blog and suddenly my attention is needed EVERY which way but here; hang up this, make the tea, time for dinner, etc etc.

But I am going to finish this, even if I don't quite feel like it.

Now I could give up. I could stop, back out, and go take the easy route and watch some netflix, and forget to shower.

But just because you feel like going one way does not mean you should.

Too much of people's lives are lived by feeling and ease. We all do it at some time. The only way we can overcome it is with an incentive; In terms of claustrophobia example, "a way out" or "a light at the end of the tunnel".

The incentive of a workout is to get in shape.

The incentive to work on homework is to get a good grade.

The incentive of living for God is eternal life and being with Jesus.

So before you make that choice to enter that narrow gate, start out with an incentive in mind. Once you have that, pack up your heart with God's word on whatever it is, so when those adversities start coming at you and you begin to wonder "why should i have to endure this?" you will have the ire and mindset to keep you going.