As a Christian have you ever noticed when you are under attack the way you handle the attack will determine the level of stress that you are going to endure? I notice for me that every time I focus on circumstances and the actions of others rather than on my relationship with Jesus through prayer, reading His Words and dealing with the natural, my stress level spikes. I lose my center and it makes it that much harder to fix the situation.
Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
I don't know why I keep forgetting this fight isn't of the flesh. I could say it is because I am only human but in reality it is because I become complacent about my walk with God. It is easy to be complacent when things are getting better and going smoothly. The trauma that happens in life has us reaching and crying out to Jesus, and at times as we overcome the feelings generated by the trauma and put our focus into God we feel the peace settling in, we feel the love that is Jesus because we listened. When we find the peace and begin to move forward in our lives we forget to pray incessantly, we forget to put God first we open the door for the attack and allow the thoughts to come into our head. Satan likes it when we forget to put God first in All things not just in our trauma,. He likes it as we begin to live in the world and of the world, leaving the supernatural behind. In reality we need to live in this world but we do not have to live of the world, putting worldly wants and activities before our spiritual life. When we allow the natural to surpass the supernatural we open the door for attacks to begin.
The month of November was particularly hard for me, it was emotional, stressful and I am ever so thankful that it is over. In reflection over the weekend I realized that it did not have to be this way. Had I simply Let Go and Let God as I professed I was trying to do my worries and fears wouldn't have been present. God isn't the one that put those worries and fears there, I allowed that door to be open because I did not put God first in ALL areas of my life. I was convicted in a way because I put the natural first, I chose to walk my own path and not the path God had set befor me in all areas of my life. Yes I walked the path God had set before me, but I did it on my terms and not according to Gods will. It was my lack in any area of my life that allowed the attack and created a very emotionally charged November.
Since I have acknowledged this sin and asked for forgiveness I have noticed the stress going completely away. It isn't because my circumstances have changed any, it isn't because my marriage is magically restored. It was a simple act of faith, asking for forgiveness and admitting my sin to God that finally gave me the peace, joy and feeling of love that was missing in November 2012.
If you find yourself struggling remember to take time to rest and listen for God's answer. If we are yammering non-stop and if we are not taking the time to build our personal relationship with God we will not be present for the blessings he wants to bestow upon us. He wants to have a personal relationship with us, He never said the path to doing so would be easy.
Tonight it was explained through a sermon that it is easier to think of it this way. As new believers many of us feel so wrapped in God's love and feel the warmth surrounding us constantly, we grow accustomed to it. We are being guided in much the same manner a parent guides their young child who is learning to walk around. That parent let's go every now and then to test the steadiness of their child as they learn to walk. There comes a time where parents have to completely let go and let their child take off. There will be stumbles, there will be tears and there will be mis-haps. God at some point has to take his hands off as well in order to help us grow, it is during those times that he finds out if our faith can grow as he desires, or if the falls we have leave us in the dirt because we choose to stay down.
In November 2012 I was down in the dirt more times than I care to count, God took his hands away so that I could learn to grow and come running to Him. I think with all my falls I am finally ready to pick myself up, brush myself off and look towards my God whose love is unfailing. I truly get it now that through God nothing is impossible. He sent me many helpers this last week as I was finally ready to get out of the dirt and look towards him. For everyone that stepped in as God directed and inspired me, encouraged me and prayed for my husband and me I am eternally grateful. You were directed in my path when God willed it, had it been at any other time during the month I would still be face down in the dirt. It was only as I was slowly getting up that I was able to hear your messages and it was only when I was willing to truly Let Go and Let God that I once again was filled with peace, love and joy. The really terrible thought I have about my actions is that I wasted a whole month worried about the natural instead of reaching for the supernatural. Forgive me Father for I have sinned, only thanks to you am I once again delivered. Amen
Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
I don't know why I keep forgetting this fight isn't of the flesh. I could say it is because I am only human but in reality it is because I become complacent about my walk with God. It is easy to be complacent when things are getting better and going smoothly. The trauma that happens in life has us reaching and crying out to Jesus, and at times as we overcome the feelings generated by the trauma and put our focus into God we feel the peace settling in, we feel the love that is Jesus because we listened. When we find the peace and begin to move forward in our lives we forget to pray incessantly, we forget to put God first we open the door for the attack and allow the thoughts to come into our head. Satan likes it when we forget to put God first in All things not just in our trauma,. He likes it as we begin to live in the world and of the world, leaving the supernatural behind. In reality we need to live in this world but we do not have to live of the world, putting worldly wants and activities before our spiritual life. When we allow the natural to surpass the supernatural we open the door for attacks to begin.
The month of November was particularly hard for me, it was emotional, stressful and I am ever so thankful that it is over. In reflection over the weekend I realized that it did not have to be this way. Had I simply Let Go and Let God as I professed I was trying to do my worries and fears wouldn't have been present. God isn't the one that put those worries and fears there, I allowed that door to be open because I did not put God first in ALL areas of my life. I was convicted in a way because I put the natural first, I chose to walk my own path and not the path God had set befor me in all areas of my life. Yes I walked the path God had set before me, but I did it on my terms and not according to Gods will. It was my lack in any area of my life that allowed the attack and created a very emotionally charged November.
Since I have acknowledged this sin and asked for forgiveness I have noticed the stress going completely away. It isn't because my circumstances have changed any, it isn't because my marriage is magically restored. It was a simple act of faith, asking for forgiveness and admitting my sin to God that finally gave me the peace, joy and feeling of love that was missing in November 2012.
If you find yourself struggling remember to take time to rest and listen for God's answer. If we are yammering non-stop and if we are not taking the time to build our personal relationship with God we will not be present for the blessings he wants to bestow upon us. He wants to have a personal relationship with us, He never said the path to doing so would be easy.
Tonight it was explained through a sermon that it is easier to think of it this way. As new believers many of us feel so wrapped in God's love and feel the warmth surrounding us constantly, we grow accustomed to it. We are being guided in much the same manner a parent guides their young child who is learning to walk around. That parent let's go every now and then to test the steadiness of their child as they learn to walk. There comes a time where parents have to completely let go and let their child take off. There will be stumbles, there will be tears and there will be mis-haps. God at some point has to take his hands off as well in order to help us grow, it is during those times that he finds out if our faith can grow as he desires, or if the falls we have leave us in the dirt because we choose to stay down.
In November 2012 I was down in the dirt more times than I care to count, God took his hands away so that I could learn to grow and come running to Him. I think with all my falls I am finally ready to pick myself up, brush myself off and look towards my God whose love is unfailing. I truly get it now that through God nothing is impossible. He sent me many helpers this last week as I was finally ready to get out of the dirt and look towards him. For everyone that stepped in as God directed and inspired me, encouraged me and prayed for my husband and me I am eternally grateful. You were directed in my path when God willed it, had it been at any other time during the month I would still be face down in the dirt. It was only as I was slowly getting up that I was able to hear your messages and it was only when I was willing to truly Let Go and Let God that I once again was filled with peace, love and joy. The really terrible thought I have about my actions is that I wasted a whole month worried about the natural instead of reaching for the supernatural. Forgive me Father for I have sinned, only thanks to you am I once again delivered. Amen
