Dirty Tissue

This is a guest post by Michael Perkins.
Michael is an ordinary guy who sometimes types on a keyboard and sometimes writes by hand on paper. You can follow him on twitter @MichaelDPerkins or read his blog called Untitled.

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Recently, I have noticed something about myself that I’m not sure that I want to admit. I was at work sitting at my desk and my allergies were acting up. I did what any normal person would do: I blew my nose. Here’s where it took a turn for the worse. I looked at the tissue after blowing my nose.

This isn’t the first time that this has happened. Nearly every time I blow my nose I tell myself, “Don’t look.” And then I end up looking. And then I regret it, because it’s gross and I have a weak stomach.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to us all. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

We all have those “dirty tissues” in our lives that we are tempted to look at or return to.

Pornography can be a dirty tissue.
Lying can be a dirty tissue.
Jealousy can be a dirty tissue.
Drugs and alcohol can be a dirty tissue.
Eating habits can be a dirty tissue.

I know it’s tough. I know that sometimes it feels hopeless. I know that sometimes it feels like that the only thing we can do is look at our dirty tissue. But I also know this: God has told us that He will provide a way out. God has said that He will be there for us. God is faithful.

Look for Him and you’ll find your way out.

You are not alone in your struggles.

Do you have any dirty tissues that you have been tempted to look at?


Comments

23 responses to “Dirty Tissue”

  1. […] what any… Today, I have the privelage of guest posting for @JonathanPearson over at his blog, Uncommon.  Please add to the discussion and check out Jonathan’s blog. Read the rest of the post […]

  2. Written so simply, but yet so profound. The most important part of this message for me was “You are not alone in your struggles.”

    1. There’s nothing like hearing those words!

      1. Jonathan, thank you for the opportunity to share over here.

        1. Thanks for taking the time to share!

    2. Thank you Jaycee for the kind words. I definitely agree. The feeling of being alone is a scary thing.

  3. I am actually talk about one these dirty tissues on Strive today. Alcohol and smoking. I question whether or not these are dirty tissues or not.

    I understand what you are saying though. They are some issues that are cut and dry and aren’t up for debate. God loves us and wants us to run to Him and not our comfort sins.

    Honestly when I blow my nose I have to look to make sure it was as good as it sounded. Oooooo grossss!

    1. I think a dirty tissue is something that we put in place of Him. That’s the crazy thing about them, everyone’s different.

  4. I certainly do and I am learning ever so slowly to not look!

    Thanks for the encouragement!

    1. Thank you Jim for your honesty.

  5. Dirty Tissues can be anything that comes between us and following God. …we all struggle with them. We are not alone unless we choose to be. Together we can find the strength to throw the tissues away for good, but only if we are willing to admit to their presence.

    Great post Michael!

    1. Amen Dusty!

  6. Eww. Eww. At least God is not afraid to look at our dirty tissues–and hand us a clean one.

    Not going to forget this one.

    1. You are right! He’ll hand us a clean one.

      Not sure if that’s a good thing or not if you don’t forget this one.

  7. I think you touched on something important here. Returning to our dirty tissues is usually about more than what it seems. Most times the root is a feeling of powerlessness or being overwhelmed and hopeless. We can turn away from God to find comfort in these and other things, but it’s not there. He is the Comforter.

    Great thoughts. Thank you, Michael (and Jonathan).

    1. You are right Jason. More often than not, we feel powerless. Our strength and comfort is found in Him.

  8. My brother-in-law and I were talking about dirt tissues some time back – we believer everyone looks………

    I think the most remarkable thing about the “dirty tissues” is that we KNOW they are gross, yet we are drawn to them. Thankfully, grace not only provides redemption but also the ability to resist.

    1. Amen. His grace does provide the ability to resist. Thank you Herb.

  9. Oh my God. Am I the only one who laughed about this one? Really Michael, first passing gas and now this? You are human, that is for sure.

    Dirty tissues? Don’t know what you are talking about! I’m not like those other so-called christians who can’t control themselves with porn, jealousy or any other addict?! I have the Holy Spirit in me!

    Oh wait, I have to blow my nose. Oh, I see pride,arrogancy, jealousy, judgemental behaviour? Yep, dirty tissues!

    I wanted to write that here because I heard many times from my friends (women) that men who are Christians and have the Holy Spirit can control themself! Yeah right and we don’t have the Holy Spirit so that is why we don’t have dirty tissues? Ha! Bucket full! The difference is that we are made aware of it. Thank you.

    I could imagine you blowing your nose and than look at it. Ewww!

    1. Ani, you continue to make me smile. That was way funny! You are right the Holy Spirit will convict us and let us know if we have a dirty tissue. I also, believe that if we trust and listen, the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to resist.

      Thank you again friend.

  10. Dirty tissues? Who’s got dirty tissues? Thankfully the Father knows them all and still loves me…then helps me not to sneeze again.

    Good thoughts bro’

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