Today, I begin reading the bible in 90 days as organized by Terri Lynne Underwood and friends in what is being called "One Amazing Summer". I have also been doing the study of the Proverbs 31 woman with Good Morning Girls.
God has been doing amazing things and I fully expect Him to do even more, but guess what? While God is revealing, healing and transforming, the enemy is plotting and attacking. Whenever we set out to improve our relationship with God or to do what is pleasing to Him, stuff starts happening! I'm sure there are others out there who have observed this phenomenon!
The enemy knows our weaknesses, every- little- one! He may start off attacking you in subtle ways, little things that break (or big things like my car and my air conditioning!), he may try to break your spirit by setting up lots of little obstacles in your everyday life, or he may even go bigger and try to cause you to have a car accident. Been there, done that too, almost every day!
Ah, but most of us are stronger than that! We are into the Word and the Word strengthens us, but what the devil uses most, on me anyway, is my mind. He infiltrates my thoughts with venomous little whispers, he reminds me of my insecurities, he uses my weaknesses against me. He also tries to revive bitter memories and old resentments. Before long, if I haven't recognized his tactics, I'm reduced to a pile of crying, useless flesh. He works systematically to break me down. Do you have the same problem?
For the past several weeks, I have had one trial after another, but the thing that has broken me was this...a weariness, physical, emotional, mental,spiritual...complete weariness and the feeling to give up.
This is the single, most effective ploy that the devil can use on me. You'd think I'd be smart enough to avoid the pitfall by now! I AM WEARY! I get careless, complacent, discouraged, depressed. I can say its PMS, hormones, the heat, but what it REALLY is...an attack on me to keep me focused on myself, to keep me distracted from the goals I've set and the true purpose of God.
When I'm down in that pit, I stop listening to the voice of God, I listen to my own voice, complaining, whining, full of self-pity and giving in to bitterness and resentment. This is exactly what the enemy wants! He WANTS me to fail! He WANTS to keep me in that pit, believing that I can't do any better, that I'm weak and pathetic.BUT I AM NOT!!
It takes great effort, but I CAN come out of that pit,with the help of God. I CAN and WILL succeed because if I keep my eyes on Him, He will give me strength. When I am weary I can go to the Word and receive refreshing Psalm 92:10 "You give me the strength of the wild ox, you anoint me with fresh oil"
As we begin this first week of "One Amazing Summer", I want to share this with you all and to warn you to guard your heart against the enemy. Pray and cover yourself with the protection of the Lord, all aspects of your lives, your families and your possessions (the crafty one will use anything against you!)
1 Cor 16:13 "Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong". This is my prayer for all of us as we do this thing together. United in prayer, we shall be victorious!
7 comments:
Praying friend that God's speaking voice drowns out the the enemy once and for all!
Praying for you friend!
John 10:27 to you dear sister. My sheep hear My voice,and I know them, and they follow me.
Excited to be doing this challenge with you this summer.
Visiting from the B90 Days linkup - thanks for sharing your thoughts. And what a great place to be - reading His Words all through the summer - a powerful way to fill our minds with His thoughts, and drown out the lies of the enemy.
We overcome evil with GOOD and God IS GOOD! Stand on the WORD...power! I'm stopping over from the link-up -- walking this journey with YOU! =)
Keeping it Personal,
Teri Johnson
Been there, done that! Keep your focus on Him as I know you will:)
Praying for you
Love,
your friend from across the waters~
Great thoughts, Lisa Marie! Thank you for sharing with us. And so glad to have you as part of the B90Days group this summer!
Many blessings,
Teri Lynne
Oh, Lisa Maria – you've read enough of me to know what I do during tough times. I don't so much hide from God – but I hide from people – I guess that's better than hiding from both – but not as good as NOT hiding at all. Godspeed in your Bible in 90 days venture – there's so much to be said for taking the Bible one verse – one word at a time – but there's an equal amount to be said for reading through it as quickly as you are about to – and I heart that you have enough wisdom to know to guard your heart as you undertake it. God bless you and keep you my friend.
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