Author Darlene J. Conard

A thousand thoughts danced through my mind last night, rehearsed and replayed like echoes in the dark. Then, a message on Instagram pierced the silence—it spoke to me with startling clarity.

It told the story of a man who inherited a grand house, filled with furniture and memories. One day, a stranger appeared at the door, knocking with urgency. “Can I help you?” the heir asked. The stranger replied earnestly, “I want to buy this house.” The man shook his head firmly. “This house is not for sale.”But desperation burned in the stranger’s eyes. “Name your price—I’ll pay whatever you ask.”

Still, the heir refused. Again and again, the stranger returned with offers, each more tempting than the last. Yet the answer remained the same: “No.” Finally, the stranger tried a different approach. “Then at least let me buy that nail sticking out of the wall.” The heir laughed at the absurdity. A nail? What harm could it do? After all, it was only a nail. So he agreed.

But soon the stranger returned, carrying rotten meat, and hung it on the nail.

“You can’t do that!”

Oh, but I can, you sold me the nail that’s in the wall. He replied with a twisted grin.

 What seemed harmless at first became a source of decay, a stench that filled the house, poisoning the air. The heir had to leave.

The moral of this story is clear: never surrender even the smallest ground to the enemy. What may appear insignificant—a single thought, a minor compromise, a fleeting weakness—can become the seed of destruction if left unchecked. Evil rarely storms the gates in one blow; it creeps in through cracks, disguises itself in small concessions, and grows until it dominates. To give the enemy one inch is to invite him to take a mile. Guard your heart, your mind, and your purpose with vigilance. Stand firm in truth, because every inch matters. Victory is not won in great battles alone, but in the daily choices to resist, to remain steadfast, and to refuse the subtle encroachments of darkness.

Ephesians 4:27 warns, “Do not give place to the devil.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” — 1 Peter 5:8 KJV

We are in a season of preparation. This is not a wasted time, nor a forgotten place. It is the workshop of heaven, where God quietly shapes hearts, sharpening vision and strengthening faith. Every hidden moment, every unseen prayer, every trial endured is part of the divine blueprint. Preparation is not delay—it is design.

The next season will be glorious. What is being sown in secret will be revealed in splendor. The tears of today will water the joy of tomorrow. The wilderness will give way to promise, and the silence will break into song. God is not only preparing us for survival—He is preparing us for triumph. The glory ahead will make the weight of this preparation worthwhile.

We cannot afford distraction. The enemy thrives on diversion, whispering lies, magnifying fears, and tempting us with lesser pursuits. But every moment spent in distraction is a moment stolen from destiny. We must guard our focus like treasure, keeping our eyes fixed on the Author and Finisher of our faith. The enemy’s schemes are small compared to the greatness of God’s plan, but vigilance is required.

So let us walk with steady hearts, anchored in hope. Let us resist the pull of distraction and embrace the discipline of preparation. For when the season shifts, we will step into glory—not unready, not unsteady, but fully equipped to carry the promises of God.

Feel free to forward it to anyone you wish.  My mission is to encourage everyone to follow our Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. ©Darlene J. Conard Vision Ministries 2024.   This may not be republished or used without the author’s written consent. Darlene J. Conard is also affiliated with Glory Carrier Ministries.

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