“Don’t let the bedbugs bite” is a silly little line we’ve all heard or said at some point before going to sleep. However, Cleveland Cavaliers’ point guard Kyrie Irving experienced the serious consequences of having bed bugs on his pillow. Getting bit at a hotel the night before a recent game led to no sleep and flu-like symptoms, and having to leave the game early because of the effects of those little creatures.

We probably haven’t taken the idea of bed bugs very seriously, and jump into bed overlooking the reality of what might be crawling under the surface of our sheets. I don’t like to think there could be bed bugs attacking me during my sleep, but there is something to be learned by what Irving went through (beyond the reminder to check our hotel beds!).

When it comes to sin in our life, we usually recognize the “big” sins to avoid and take the “smaller” sins pretty lightly. We can either downplay certain sins or overlook them completely. However, just like we learned from Irving’s experience, even a little bed bug can slow us down.

I also believe the same is true for sin – especially when we don’t take it seriously. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

I’m sure moving forward, Kyrie Irving will do a thorough inspection of his bed before getting into it. With that in mind, let’s allow God to inspect our hearts and reveal to us the sin that easily trips us up. Often what needs to be removed and exterminated doesn’t appear on the surface, but if not seriously considered, it will pop up and take us off course.

Today, once we realize the sin that is holding us back, let’s ask God to forgive us and remove it. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, search my heart and show me the sin below the surface that needs to be surrendered and forgiven. Please give me the strength to repent, and trust you to remove it. I’m thankful for your grace and forgiveness through Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen.