Distractions...

I read Acts 16:1-21 tonight. I've always found it interesting about how the demon-possessed woman in this chapter was actually speaking truth. She was a fortune teller but she did speak truth in that "These men are servants of the Most HIght God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved." It is so interesting how it seems that Paul and Luke and the companions somehow put up with it for a while. I wonder if it took some time to realize that it was a demon, or if they were just hoping it would go away. Whatever the case, Paul "got so exasperated that he turned and spoke to the demon within her". When he prayed in the name of Jesus, the demon came out and the lady was free. I think this story illustrates that sometimes even when there is nothing false coming out of someone, they can be a distraction. This may be something true of when a church service gets interrupted with something that seems to be a distraction. Lord, please give me discernment when a distraction is something that needs to be dealt with and cast out in your name. Other times, God, give me focus and ability to work through the distraction. Thank you for so many examples in the Word of how to follow you!