WHEN THE ROOT IS ROTTEN

A Deep Thoughts Devotional Story
© Opeyemi Akintunde
As Inspired by the LIVING WORD

Emeka stood in the middle of his once-busy shop, staring at the silence.

The shelves were stocked.
The lights were on.
The doors were open.

But customers were scarce.

Just months ago, his mini-mart was always full. People lined up at the counter. Suppliers called him first. Sales were steady. He used to boast confidently, “People must eat. I can never run out of business.”

But now, things were different.

“God, what is happening?” he whispered one afternoon. “Why does everything feel dry?”

At first, he blamed the economy.
Then competitors.
Then “village people.”

But one quiet evening, as he locked up, a deep conviction settled in his heart.

A question rose within him:
“Could it be you?”

He brushed it aside.

But the question persisted.

Memories began flashing through his mind.
The dishonest weights he started using to increase profit.
The subtle lies told to customers.
The unpaid debts he kept postponing intentionally.
The compromise he justified as “smart business.”

His heart sank.

“Lord… could this be the reason?”

And in the stillness of his conscience, he knew.

It wasn’t the economy.
It wasn’t witches.
It wasn’t bad luck.

It was compromise.

That night, Emeka knelt in his empty shop.
No music.
No customers.
Just tears.

“Father, have mercy on me. Forgive me. I choose to make things right.”

The next morning, he began correcting what he could, repaying debts, adjusting his scales, apologizing where necessary.

Change didn’t explode overnight.
But peace returned immediately.

And gradually, business began to breathe again.

We are quick to rebuke the devil,
but slow to examine ourselves.

Sometimes, the root of dryness is not an external attack, it is internal compromise.

In Mark 2, when a paralyzed man was brought to Jesus, everyone expected healing first.
But Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Because sometimes, forgiveness is the real miracle needed before restoration can begin.

Before you fight shadows,
ask God to search your heart.

KEY SCRIPTURE:
Mark 2:5 – “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, search my heart and expose anything that may be blocking Your blessings in my life.

Father, have mercy on me and forgive every hidden and open sin.

Lord, restore whatever I have lost as I walk back in obedience to You.

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✍️ DEEP THOUGHTS DEVOTIONALS
Inspired by the TRUTH REVEALER
Written by Opeyemi Akintunde
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