A friend of my daughter lost her well paying job several months ago. Two weeks later she found out she had cancer. A single mom with a 12-year old, she’s facing unbelievable trials. The treatment sickens her for two weeks out of the month, therefore she can’t hold down a regular job. She shared with my daughter that the hardest thing is when she needs to ask her daughter which meal she wants to skip that day so their food will last. Her sister, church and friends are helping her.
But the odds are heavy against her. Let me tell you when I first saw her about a month ago, she was on standing on stage with my daughter at their church singing and honoring God with the praise worship team. How is that possible? Doesn’t she have every right to be bitter and angry about her circumstances?
Strength to Stand
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the word.... I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!” 1 Peter 5:8, 9, 12
When Peter wrote those verses to his fellow Christians, they thought of the mangy, starving lions and the filthy arenas where believers were killed and tortured. So comparing the devil to a loin was real to them, not like ones we might think of behind bars in the zoo, or in Africa.
What mangy, filthy animal has Satan thrown in your path to disrupt your life? Adversaries of depression, bitterness, anger, isolation, financial hardship, defeat from circumstances or physical illness? Be alert, and recognize those traps. Then chose to stand and fight against our natural inclination to give in to them. God will help. “The LORD is my strength and my shield.” Psalm 28:7a
You will not be alone. We are not alone. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?” Hebrew 13:5-6
When we stand on our faith with God as our strength and helper, then we can sing like my daughter’s friend, “The LORD is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him.” Psalm 28:7
But the odds are heavy against her. Let me tell you when I first saw her about a month ago, she was on standing on stage with my daughter at their church singing and honoring God with the praise worship team. How is that possible? Doesn’t she have every right to be bitter and angry about her circumstances?
Strength to Stand
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the word.... I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!” 1 Peter 5:8, 9, 12
When Peter wrote those verses to his fellow Christians, they thought of the mangy, starving lions and the filthy arenas where believers were killed and tortured. So comparing the devil to a loin was real to them, not like ones we might think of behind bars in the zoo, or in Africa.
What mangy, filthy animal has Satan thrown in your path to disrupt your life? Adversaries of depression, bitterness, anger, isolation, financial hardship, defeat from circumstances or physical illness? Be alert, and recognize those traps. Then chose to stand and fight against our natural inclination to give in to them. God will help. “The LORD is my strength and my shield.” Psalm 28:7a
You will not be alone. We are not alone. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?” Hebrew 13:5-6
When we stand on our faith with God as our strength and helper, then we can sing like my daughter’s friend, “The LORD is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him.” Psalm 28:7
Standing up again and will sing.
Photo: USFWS
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7 comments:
What excellent verses you chose to combat the mangy filthy animal Satan tries to tackle me with! The Word will fight and fight well!
~ Wendy
I love the spiritual lessons you share on your blog, Karen. (And I miss you!)
very inspirational, Karen and reminds me to count my blessings.
Thank you for all the encouraging words. I'm trying to share what spriritual battles go on in my life right now. I love that we are a Christian family. Blessings
I am thankful she has her church family and daughter to support her in the natural. God is mighty to save and dod the rest!
I do not know how I missed reading this, but I needed to read it today. Timing is so right for me to smack myself and praise God. A great post. These future posts are so good Karen.
Yes, God is good. And I know He cares mightly for my daughter's friend. Clella, don't smack yourself too hard, we all take so much for granted. I am learning while sharing.
"Mucho" blessings
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