The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
Springtime in Iowa becomes a beautiful hued layer of blues and greens colliding with the golden left overs of winter and the fresh tilled blackened soil of spring. It is a magnificent masterpiece! However, along with God’s handiwork come the annoyances at least to those who are trying to enjoy an afternoon walk in the woods or a picnic outing. You have your Iowa grade mosquitoes, gnats, and my all-time ugly favorite is no other than…drum roll please…….The American wood tick otherwise known as a dog tick. Yet, whatever name you prefer to call them does not matter because they both are the same; parasites.
The definition of a parasite is “an organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host’s expense. The American wood tick fits this definition perfectly. It attaches itself to a living being (human or animal) and feeds off of the blood from that creature with the potential to drain the life out of the living, and they are so small that most of the time you don’t realize they are on you until after their feast has started. Sounds pretty gross when you think about.
Actually, I believe that another meaning of parasite can be defined as anything that attaches itself (physically or mentally) to us and slowly drains our life.
Parasites can be from additions such as drugs, alcohol, gambling, or pornography (online or elsewhere). A parasite can also be physical or verbal abuse, depression, suicidal thoughts, self-confidence, self-pity, workaholism, social media, or anything else that Satan uses to draw us away from God. Unless removed from our lives, the parasite will continue to slowly take away from us just enough to satisfy itself and leave nothing in return.
God’s word says that “The thief, comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10).
Just like the thief, the parasite comes in to steal your time, your friends, and your family. It kills your relationships, job, or financial security, and most importantly it destroys your life leaving you feeling worthless and alone. Notice however that God has come to give you life and life to the fullest so that you may live. A parasite destroys. God gives you life.
What parasites have you exposed yourself to that are slowly taking away your life? Let this moment, this day be the time that you decide to remove what is slowly draining the life out of you and turn towards a living and life reviving God!
Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. (Matthew 12:29 )
A very vivid picture, Renee, easily making us see the disgust that comes with those awful “parasites” of life.
Like the tick, sometimes life’s parasites come in such “tiny” forms that we miss how damaging it can become! Hurtful comments, a little lie etc… these can weigh down the heart/mind and suck the life out of an individual.