Acts 28:3-6New Living Translation (NLT)

3 As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. 4 The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” 5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6 The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds (a)

Many people are sitting back waiting for you to die. Not physically but to die non the less. They are waiting, watching and hoping that some great catastrophe will set you back further than they are. They have seen the snake come out of the woodpile and bite you. They have said amongst themselves “I KNEW she/he wasn’t as SAVED as she/he claimed to be” They may even remind you that the bible says ” you reap what you sow” They have pulled up a front row seat with their popcorn and soda…waiting on the show to start.

Indeed some of the talk is true. You do get back what you give. This is why a snake bite won’t kill you.

There are “snakes” all around us waiting for the opportunity to strike. They may be disguised as harmless wood, lying perfectly still until they have an audience. No matter when the attack occurs, and the chatter starts, you have to do as Paul did…shake it off.

As they wait on your demise, you have gone on about the Father’s business. What they call failure is what believers call “a change of plans” we take redirection well and in stride.

One reason we can “shake it off” is because we know that the chatter is NOT true. We are NOT who they say we are. We do not have to be concerned about the lies and the accusations. We are unfazed.

They may witness a bite, They may talk, but I just want to remind you and them…

you are waiting for nothing

There is nothing to see here.