My dear blogging buddies.
My understanding, compassionate, long-suffering blogging buddies.
I am just arriving home from 5 days in Arizona – "The Hub" and I went to another one of our western festivals – Yee Haw!! But, traveling out-of-state twice in less than two weeks has been a bit - (a whole lot) - challenging for these old bones.
So, I’m sitting here watching basketball – MARCH MADNESS!!
And I’m relaxing…
When, all of a sudden, I realized something – I don’t have anything written for tomorrow’s post! "Senior moment" – are these becoming the new norm???
Lord, what should I write about?
I’ve decided to write about distractions.
Spiritual distractions…
Distractions that the Enemy brings into your life to derail you from God’s purposes.
Why are they so effective?
"He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."
(1 Peter 5:8)
Lions attack sick, young, or straggling animals. Lions choose their victims carefully. They pounce when their prey is most vulnerable – they pick on the weak.
So, here’s the deal. God is bringing some new opportunities into my life – new avenues to speak about Him, to spread His truth, to reach others for His Kingdom. He’s really stretching me – moving me outside my comfort zone.
And it’s painted a big, huge target on my back.
"Here, devil – kick me."
You know one of the worst distractions?
Doubts.
Doubts that God hears me when I pray – or if He does, doubts that He really cares about my little life. Doubts that He is good. Or the worst of all, doubts that He even exists at all…
I haven’t had these doubts since high school – (eons and eons ago). I’m embarrassed to admit that these thoughts have even crossed my mind. I’m convicted that I allow them to sit down and have a cup of coffee…
Am I alone in this?
"Stand firm against [the devil], and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are." (1 Peter 5:9)
Are you?
But, are you also like me – a little mad? A little disgusted at the fiery arrows of distraction?
I don’t have time for this. I have work to do!
And I DO have a God who hears me, and cares about me – a God who is really and truly there – a God who is good.
A God who has proved faithful, over and over again.
A God who is bringing me to a new land – a land that I cannot enter unless He goes before me. A land that I will never occupy unless He conquers it first. A land that He will open up to me, one step at a time.
Let’s en-courage one another with words of truth. Let’s be fortified by the Word of Truth. Let’s carry our swords into battle, and fight strong.
Let’s take a good long look at that cowardly old lion hiding in the bush – and let’s call his bluff...
"I see you. I know what you’re doing. And this time, it’s not going to work."
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
AMEN, Sharon!! And you're right that any stretching of our spiritual muscles is an invitation to the Enemy to place the "kick me" sign on our backs.
ReplyDeleteMy backside and shins are so sore from the kicking lately, and my usual chicken liver mode of operation is to go to the above mentioned bushes and cower instead of the above mentioned lion.
I'm heading to 1 Peter as soon as I hit post for a little look at that verse too. I think it's one worth the deep look and one worth memorizing.
Now, as Todd Friel says, "Get out there... and serve your King."
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteNo you are not alone. I think in different ways, for different reasons, we are all getting that sign stuck on our backs. But he is not going to win. We are fighting from victory, not too victory, so although the pocket battles still rage, the war is won. Praise god and Praise Him that He is Building a People of Power" here on blogger and elsewhere too. Satan is trying to pull it apart brick by brick, but I for one I am determined that he will not win. Bind us together Lord, bind us together, bind us together in love - Amen
I think it is awesome Sharon that God is opening up new adventures for you; you have such a way with words, I know wherever he leads you, it will be to his glory and to further his kingdom!! I'm glad you wrote this today because I was having a morning of doubts here, not in God because he has been so faithful but allowing the enemy and my own thoughts to get the best of me. So going to change paths and re-think and re-focus and continue to trust in God!!
ReplyDeleteenjoy the day (raining here, windy last night)
think it was neat that you and the hubby got to get away to Arizona; hope it was a relaxful time too!
betty
Sharon,
ReplyDeleteSometimes the "attacks" are your confirmation that you are in the right place, doing the right thing. You're a threat to the enemy, or he wouldn't bother with you! "Draw nigh to the Lord and He will draw nigh to you. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." You are sure not alone. Satan's favorite attack (he has no new tricks) is to cause doubts. I, too, have had those nagging doubts, insecurities--feeling so overwhelmed, like quitting. Satan tries to tell me, "What good is it to ____," (fill in the blanks with "pray, hope, serve," basically he's trying to make me stop whatever I'm doing--which, when you think about it, only goes to show that it's something that I definitely should keep on doing! God is at work! Don't stop, don't give up, don't give in--he's a defeated foe, and he's just giving that last kick, that last-ditch effort.
Praise God for your new opportunities! I'm so grateful on your behalf that He's opening doors for you, and God is definitely using you, Sharon! (Our forgetfulness--oh how forgetful I am--and "weakness" only showcases His power and strength and glory more!! But I know how frustrating it can be:)
Praise God for your life and all the fruit He has, and is and will be bearing through you!! Stand fast, stand firm, trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, be of good courage, wait on the Lord (keep on quoting Scripture, bathing your mind in it) and see the power of the Lord at work--He's fighting for you, and His power is great!
Blessing the Lord for you, dear friend!
Lots of Love,
Wendy
Let's face it. The enemy loves to come with
ReplyDeletedistractions and attacks whether we are
stretching our spiritual muscles or not.
When we set our hearts to follow after the
Lord the devil set us in his sights. As
long as we're on this earth we're his target.
Enjoyed this, Sharon.
I just picked up my sword!!! Now I have to say I would love to be as good as you are about blogging on any one day!!! Your pieces are always wonderful and so many post! So I bow to your gifting!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the enemy does a mental job on most of us during this season of life...I seem to be able to stand boldly when I was younger and now I will retreat too easily.
Casting Crowns says, "deep water faith in the shallow end."
I believe God is now building deep water faith in the DEEP end!!!
Blessings as you pick up your sword and remind the enemy of his future...as I said to a friend who just went through some horrible times..."it is time to say, To Hell with the Devil"...something our pastor use to say!!
So I am with you on building spiritual muscles, even if my physically muscles are a little flabby!
Oh yes, I've had my struggles lately too. Some setbacks and challenges. Started to question why God even made me. But still...I didn't question that there even was a God. That would be the worst deception of all, wouldn't it?
ReplyDeleteI think God is big enough to handle all of our doubts...and then some.
Our family is in a huge spiritual battle. You are not alone on this journey.
ReplyDeleteI think you've struck a nerve, probably with most of us! Satan LOVES to plant doubts... and even while I KNOW they are from him... they can catch me off guard and I can falter in my faith. God knows us, and He knows that happens, but He doesn't allow us the comfort of staying there very long. We pick ourselves right back up and STAND... in the knowledge that He is God! The whole faith issue is constantly being fine tuned in my own walk. Thanks for the honest sharing Sharon.
ReplyDeleteThat was so inspirational. I liked the true meaning of BLOG.
ReplyDeleteDebbie - I knew you'd understand! Thanks for your good words. No chicken liver mode - we must not be cowards anymore!! I loved the quote at the end - yes, I'm going out there, with my target on my back (I'm wearing it with pride, by the way) - and I'm serving the LORD!
ReplyDeleteNita - I absolutely love how you pointed out that we are fighting FROM victory. That was a profoundly strong statement - I loved it. And I also liked how you called our struggles, pocket battles. I'm going to remember that. Oh yes, Nita - bind us together. Amen.
Betty - I had to do a readjustment - that's why I wrote this post. Glad that it encouraged you, too. The battle in the mind is such a subtle one at times, and such a difficult one to fight. That's why God gave us the helmet of salvation, to guard those thoughts. Guess sometimes I just forget to put it on...
Wendy - The enemy is a defeated foe. Yes, why do I seem to forget that? Thank you for your very en-couraging words. They really, really mean a lot. And yes, you're so right - arming myself with the Word!
Sandy - Yeah, you're right. Once we believe in Jesus, we're targets. However, we have set our sights on the Lord, and we are aiming ourselves toward an eternal reward. So, we must not be thwarted!
Janette - Thank you for your very kind comments. I like what you said about being bolder when we're younger. I can see that. But, here's the other thing I see, too. I know for a fact that I didn't have the sense of God's calling on my life like I do now. It's a compelling urge to speak about Him. And though I'm scared, I can't give up. I love the saying, "deep water faith in the deep end!" And yes, the devil knows where he can go.
Debby - Yes, it is the biggest deception of all. And I don't entertain this one doubt for long. Because, after all, it's really at the base of everything the devil throws at us, "Is God really...(fill in the blank - good, caring, fair, there at all, etc). Thankful that God can handle my doubts...all of them.
Mary - Oh my friend. Praying for your family. Hold on strong, and know that God is with you every step of the way. (And will you remind me of that, too, when I doubt it??)
Sonja - Thanks for your honest comment. It's been very encouraging to know that I am not struggling alone. You have hit upon the key to it all - don't wallow in doubt. Ask for the Lord's strength to once again STAND, and once standing, to stand FIRM.
Donnie - WELCOME! I'm so glad you stopped by to visit. I'm glad that you enjoyed this post. It really helped me to share it with all of you. When we all stand together, we help each other stand! (Glad you liked the little thing I did with BLOG!!)
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon -
ReplyDeleteYes, we all have our "moments" of doubt but as we cleave more firmly to our Lord, they become less...
I love this that you expressed, "I see you. I know what you’re doing. And this time, it’s not going to work."
That's right, Sharon - the devil is not going to win. There is only one side that wins in this battle between LIFE and death. LIFE wins. We read it in the book of Revelation - and so did Satan!...
Sandra - No, he is NOT going to win! Only one side wins - and we're on it, aren't we? However, I agree - because he's read the book of Revelation, he knows his time is growing shorter. And so he's making and using more arrows. It's OK - I've got armor, forged by God - and I intend to use it!!
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESS!