The State of Kansas is a windy place, with most of the wind blowing off the Rocky Mountains.

One day, while taking a leisurely stroll along the paved walkway at Worden Park in Wellington, Kansas, a strong gust of wind nearly blasted this writer and her companion off the walk. Since the park is surrounded by wide open spaces, the wind has free reign over the area.

“You need to write an article on this,” CJ said. “About people getting blown off track.”

The more the idea processed, the more it seemed like a good idea.

Many times people have every intention of following the Lord in the way of righteousness. But sometimes, despite their best efforts, their resolve to be committed to Christ, something comes along to interfere with that walk.

Perhaps we are adamant about serving Jesus, yet the enemy suddenly rises up against us, thwarting our attempts to please God.

Perhaps you are a recovering alcoholic. Perhaps along the way to recovery you found God.

Until a friend invites you to a party. Or asks you to accompany him to a bar for “one little drink”. Then before you know it, you fall off the wagon and find yourself blown off course altogether. You no longer follow God, and you no longer care about stopping your drinking habit.

All it took was that one thing to blow you off track.

But did you know that God expects our occasional failures? He knows we are but flesh. Weak creatures subject to habits and negative influences we are unable to deal with.

Granted, you should have trusted God to help you remain sober, but if you are a “baby” Christian, then you are still in a learning stage in your walk with Him. So don’t be so hard on yourself if you fall.

Be encouraged. Just because you’ve made a mistake or have taken a wrong turn somewhere, know that God is always there to pick you back up, brush you off, and give you another go at it. He knows we are not perfect.

All we need do is confess our sin and ask His forgiveness. Then lean on Him to help us continue our walk with Him.

Just be sincere in your faith, repenting of the sin that beset you in the first place.

Then trust Him for the outcome.

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. (Psalm 103:14 KJV)

For more information:

http://christianity.about.com/od/practicaltools/ht/avoidbackslide.htm

http://www.jollynotes.com/inspirational-verses/backslidden-christian-verses/

http://www.inspiration-for-singles.com/the-God-of-second-chances.html

http://www.guyana-missions.org/secondchances.htm

http://www.csec.org/csec/sermon/robinson_4017.htm

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