#StupidSatan

Pslam 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

I have never shied away from being willing to share about my struggles with anxiety and depression; both are seemingly hidden troubles, that play out in the open for all to see. These are inner battles with many faces; mine I have come to label my “thorn in the flesh” for they are mostly spiritual warfare, direct attacks from mine enemy below. Those with like struggles share some strange bond, for they understand the roller-coaster of life that these highs and lows bring. This season in life, particularly this summer, has brought elevated struggles in both arenas. The pressures in life we all face, the busyness of life we all face, the muddled priorities of life that skew our focus away from eternity, as life becomes a twisted mess of emotions and fears. Satan prowls around like a lion, preying on the weak, seeking whom he may devour in these seasons of doubt and fear we face. With swift blows he attacks our thoughts, pointing out failures, sins, and struggles that we have faced in life. The blows many times are extremely personal, painful, and in some strange way true, but, we must remember God has allowed every step and breath of life we have been GIVEN, and all our struggles can be used to draw glory to the God who has allowed it all, to reach someone with our testimony of his sovereignty, mercy, and grace through Jesus Christ; Good News with the simple understanding of sin in the midst of the bad news.

God would not let me sleep, and I knew this scripture was on my mind from him as I sat on the front porch and prayed before 5am. As I came in and read this Psalm, I could not help but reflect on the present state of our nation. We are in the midst of a likely coming judgment of God upon us, a pending state of affairs that will reveal the level of sin we are as a nation. I know God has called me to a repentance ministry, and the time is for us to repent, to turn from sin and know that God will guard us against our enemies just as his did Israel in this Psalm. In the study of this Psalm, it points out the promises kept by God to Abraham, when God just told him to go, to leave everything, and that God would eternally bless generations through his obedience (Genesis 12:1-3). God is allowing all this political upheaval, because in the midst of chaos, we must understand God is still in control. He will use the coming poor leadership of this country in ways we cannot imagine, for his thoughts are not our thoughts, nor his ways our ways, but for those called according to his purposes, he works it all for good.

I know not what the future holds, but God holds the future. I know not what tomorrow brings, but I know what God says about today. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Worry, even elevated fear that goes into anxiety, is always a future event; likely one you cannot control past the present time and decisions. Stay on point, stay focused on the day, the hour, the present decision you face, looking at it with the reality of the small weight of eternity in view. Is what is troubling you having eternal consequence? I have come to realize that many times my greatest battles are directly relation to my limited time in God’s Word. Skewed priorities make for a warped sense of eternity, and only God through his Word can straighten the path.