Recently I heard my wife voice sudden surprise as she made her breakfast protein shake. Apparently the blender jar’s seal wasn’t tight at the base and the shake’s ingredients were leaking all over. I remember a similar experience after an oil change, when the mechanic failed to adequately tighten the oil filter or oil pan nut, and oil was pooling on our garage floor. Leaks happen outside the garage and kitchen, too. Let’s look at some common areas, and I’ll provide a few Bible verses for each that you can look up to help us patch any relevant leaks!
Sometimes we find we’re losing sleep. Maybe it’s because of worry, overwork, or simply a lack of a disciplined routine. No matter the cause, the loss of rest that comes with a sleep deficit can negatively affect our outlook, our health, our work, and our relationships (Psalm 4:8, John 14:27, 1 Peter 5:7).
Sleep is just one area of our physical well-being where there can be a slow loss of vitality. Our diets are another. Undisciplined eating, poor nutritional choices, and neglect of exercise can sap us of energy, weigh us down with unnecessary pounds, rob us of health, and affect how we feel about ourselves (Proverbs 25:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
A failure to process events and relational challenges in a healthy way will cause our peace and joy to evaporate. Our emotional well-being is critical to our ability to be present and pleasant, and that starts with testing our thoughts to see if they align with what’s good and true (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, 1 Corinthians 16:14, Ephesians 4:29, Philippians 2:3-4, 4:8).
Then there are financial leaks. Impulse purchases, small but recurring discretionary expenses, unbudgeted but inevitable bills for things like car maintenance or appliance breakdowns, can all drain our accounts and sabotage our savings. Financial anxiety can likewise affect many other areas of life (Proverbs 21:20, Matthew 6:19-33, Colossians 3:2).
How about time? Are frequent distractions, procrastination, or worry wasting our time, or are we redeeming the time? What changes would help keep this precious commodity we cannot replace from slipping away from us? (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Of much greater importance than a day or week getting away from us: many people’s lives are slipping away because they are not using their motivated abilities in alignment with God-given identity and purpose. Oblivious to their created value, they fritter their lives away on pursuits that have no connection to why they’re here. A friend once gave me sage advice with a sense of urgency, “Whatever you’re about, you need to be about it!” (Ecclesiastes 9:10, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 3:12-14).
Experiencing the fulfillment of knowing and walking in your unique God-given identity requires prioritizing time with God and in His Word above everything else clamoring for your attention. Scripture talks about the devil’s darts, and he is constantly aiming for your tires with distractions of every imaginable description to arrest your spiritual growth and forward progress. He knows if you discover who you are, and you pursue, in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, what God made you for—there is no stopping you!
