If you read the title of this post and are concerned that I may be falling back to childish ways of communicating, fear not!
My statement of protest is aimed at my enemy, the Devil, and no one else.
You see - although I didn't realize it at the time - a couple of weekends ago I listened to his lies, and I have since determined NOT to listen to him anymore.
We had gathered together with my husband's side of the family to celebrate Christmas when it happened. When I found myself in a downward spiral of thoughts which said I'm not good enough and I'll never measure up.
Throughout the weekend, I frequently excused myself so I could go into the bathroom and cry. And I hardly spoke to anyone. (Because when I'm in that state of mind? Whenever I talk, I start crying. Yeah. I'm pathetic. *sigh*)
When we got home I finally let it out and told my husband - through tears, of course - what had been going on inside of me. Shortly after that, our small group came over and I poured out my heart to them, too.
What a blessing it is to have godly friends who HE uses to speak truth to us!
One friend said it sounded to her like Satan had been feeding me lies all weekend. As they prayed for me, another friend mentioned Satan's tactics for taking us out of commission - and asked God to protect me. And when the prayer time was over, Brian said he realized that's just what had happened - Satan had taken me out that weekend.
He is my enemy, he has studied my weaknesses, he knew right where to hit me, and it worked.
Because I listened.
BUT...
I'm NOT listening anymore!
Been carrying this around in my pocket lately, and whenever my enemy tries to attack, I'm fighting back with the TRUTH.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26
How about you?
Are you listening to lies, or rehearsing the Truth?
Let's hold fast to our Savior, and listen to HIM only.
P.S. Be sure to stop by tomorrow. I have a couple of items I'm giving away. *grin*
15 comments:
Satan will try to take us out using any tactic he can. I have so been when you were and it is miserable. So glad you realized what was going on and took steps to combat it! Praise God for godly friends.
Leah
Karen,
I agree with Leah and I do believe that the enemy is stepping up his game with God's girls! Just yesterday, I found myself listening to him challenge me to compare myself, my worth, my talents to a 9 YEAR OLD GIRL! It is a long story and it wasn't my daughter, but it was a moment where I just had to stop and laugh out loud and say, "Really, satan?? That's what you are going to tempt me with today???"
Tired of giving him the territory that God long ago claimed as His.
Love you and have missed you over the holidays.
Blessings,
Dori
P.S. Pray as I write this month -- not on a blog or for any person. Just feel a real sense to write for an Audience of One for awhile.
Leah - Yes. I am so thankful for my godly friends!
Dori - I think you just gave me a new line. Really, satan???
And then I'll hit him with the verse I'm memorizing right now. The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
Yes! Victory in JESUS is ours!
Love you.
And - yes! I will certainly be praying for you.
I tend to go back and forth. I know in my heart my God is never failing and will always protect me, loves me, believes in me. But there are days when I am more susceptible to what the devil tells me. Thank you for the verse and thank you for this post. I'm happy you truly believe in The Truth! :o)
OH! Reading this entry reminded me of the song my Petra Choir will be singing in church soon. (2nd grade - 6th grade)
Here's the youtube video and the lyrics. Enjoy! :o)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLO2-_emvDY
She was walking in the garden on day, when a snake slithered round her feet. Follow me right over to this tree and I'll give you something good to eat. I don't know are you sure, I don't think it is right.
It doesn't matter just open your mouth and take a tasty bite. She said to him I think its a sin but boy does it look ripe. He said to her just take my word and I promise that you'll see the light.
(chorus)
Why don't you just get out of here, cause I don't want to see your face around here no more. Why don't you just skidillydoo cause this is now and that was before.
Cause you are the devil and the devil is bad, you are the devil and the devil is bad, you are the devil and the devil is bad, you are the devil and you are bad.
The tempter met Him in the desert one day are you the son of God, turn these stones into wholesome bread and make Your hunger stop.
Even though His hunger had grown real strong, He turned and simply replied man does not live on bread alone but on the word of God.
Turn from Him and worship me and the kingdoms of the world are Yours away from Me with your evil ways cause I worship and I serve only God.
I've had a year of struggles in this area, I think because I recenly really came to know my Savior. I have always been very confident...until now. It seems there's always a little whisper in my ear that I'm not as good as the other mom's,that I don't fit in, I never will, etc. This is such a great reminder to me that these thoughts come straight from the pit!
And by the way - I am now officially ok with "not fitting in..." it is my badge of honor in this world!
For He is ALWAYS the TRUTH to compat the lies! Praising Him for your strength to hold on to Him and the truth. You are a beautiful REAL witness of just how to live it out daily. Thank you! Happy New Year Karen!
I'm with you, sister! Holding fast and standing in TRUTH!!! That's the key to surviving well :)
Me too!! Holding onto the TRUTH!!! It seems the closer my walk with Him, that seems to be when satan tries his best...well, his best ain't good enough!! ;)
By the way...my Psalm is 25...I kept going back and forth between Psalm 139 (because I love it so) & 25, but something kept pulling me back to 25...so 25 it is (I've learned to listen to that quiet little voice) & I'm working on the first verse now! :)
Have a great day!!
Hooray for friends who speak truth!
And for the Truth itself. The kids and I were just reading 1 Peter 5:8. We shouldn't be surprised.
I'm glad you found solid ground.
Jodi - "This is now and that was before."
I LOVE that line! What a great thing to remind our enemy when he starts attacking!
Steph - When we hear those whispers, I think we need to respond with something like, Yeah? What's your point??? I am complete in Christ. HE makes me enough. HE makes me whole. HE has redeemed my life and my salvation is secure because of HIM. Who I am doesn't matter - because of HIM.
I'm glad to hear you're OK with it. :o)
Nichole - I'm praising Him with you!
Happy New Year to you, too, my friend!
Rachel - It's good to see you!
I'm so glad to know you're with me. :o)
Patricia - That's right. Because JESUS is better than satan's best. HA!
Mmmmm. Psalm 25 was in the running for me, too. I may do that one after I finish 27.
Ann - It's been a long time. So good to see you again!
Yes, yes. I am so thankful for my friends. And SOLID GROUND!
I have fallen into the "listen to me Satan" world here lately....what I thought was an answer from God actually was a tactic from the devil not once but twice he did this....i am learning how to listen to God and know the difference between Him and that other beast...I am so glad that you get to have Bible study at your job....this may sound crazy but about the time you started at Edgewood I had to resign from my job at Golden Living...I really think God gave you the job to take my place...although we live miles apart and have never met...I am convinced that you were sent there to love on those seniors the way I loved on mine...you can now send me to the room with pads on the wall *grin* I think you are AWESOME and would give anything if i could come see you in California....I pray for that event often....hugs....
Ginny - I'm glad you're discerning those voices!
I love doing Bible study at Edgewood, and I'm happy to be loving on those seniors the way you loved on yours. Though there are days when I hate that I have to go to work - when I am absolutely sure I can't handle being mom, wife, AND employee - I truly, truly, without question LOVE my job.
Thank you for praying for the California events. Would love it if you could be there... But maybe someday I can come to Alabama. (Even though my beloved MSU Spartans got totally humiliated there...*sigh*)
Thank you for your transparency in this post, Karen -- I needed to read this today. I had a hard day, and found myself believing Satan's lie: "With a mom like you, your kids are doomed." Painful! You challenged me to stop and seek out God's truth!! "See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us his children, and that is what we are!" (1 john 3:1) ...and that He "is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think!" (eph 3:20)
Sara - Satan uses that one on me, too. Not very original, is he.
But God's Truth wipes out Satan's lies and we can trust HIM.
Thanks for writing out those verses for me to read. :o)
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