Butterflies & Flies

A few years ago, I found myself in a season of loneliness. In the beginning I fought it. I did my share of crying on my pillow, mumbling under my breath and I’m pretty sure I even struggled with depression. I almost deactivated my Facebook account just because I started becoming jealous of other people’s relationships. I would see posts of friendships displayed in group selfies, lunch dates, and road trips and I allowed sadness to sink into me.  

The loneliness was strange to me because I was constantly surrounded by people. Beautiful, loving, caring, God-centered people. But these relationships never seemed to grow into more than just acquaintances. Once the lunch was over or service completed, there I was alone again. I began to look at myself and wonder if there was something wrong with me. Did I talk too much, or not enough? I reached out to the Father and He whispered softly, “Come close to me, I want to work out some things put in you.”  

It’s been about a ten year journey towards spiritual health for me and I seriously thought that I had surrendered all areas to the Lord. Loneliness and rejection was an area that I really thought had been cleaned up long ago. Well, there was residue that was holding me back. Have you ever washed dishes too quickly?  When you get ready to rinse off the soap you realize your dish has just a little bit of ice cream hiding at the bottom.  You have a choice. You can leave that yummy bacteria infested glob of cookies and cream for consumption with your next cup of coffee, or you can take take it back and give it a good scrub to remove it.

So, once again, I opened up and allowed the Lord to have His way in me.  The End…

Don’t you wish it would always be that easy?  It’s funny how when we think we have fully surrendered, we expect God to be our genie crossing his arms and blinking his eyes making it thus and so? In Numbers 23:19 we see that God is not a man that He should lie. So when He tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6b) He is telling us that not only are we not going to walk through things without Him, but by the way…He will also not permit us to stay in our current, unperfected state. In fact that word, “forsake” in Hebrew means, “permit”.  

It is so important to make sure that you have worked through every part of a healing completely.  If not, you leave yourself susceptible and open to worsening the wound.  Think of it in the natural.  Let’s say you got a deep cut on your finger right where you bend it all day.  You would most likely attend to it by keeping it clean and dry, applying ointment and protecting it from the elements.  

Now, what would happen if you didn’t do any of these things? Your bleeding, seeping wound is left uncovered becoming infected and even more painful. Infection left unattended to can quickly spread even causing issues in your bloodstream and eventually lead to death.  Left uncovered, a wound can draw flies. Flies land on poop and garbage all day and carry disease on their feet. Landing on a healthy skin surface only requires waving away the fly and washing the surface to avoid bacteria spreading.  An open, infected wound is another story.  Flies draw more flies, they spread bacteria, lay their larva and what started off as a wound has spread infection into your core.  

Let’s look at the spiritual application.  We were never healed completely and the wound grew larger and worsened.  What are we attracting into our lives at this point?  What kind of relationships are we cultivating?  In a wounded state we are now open to be invaded by the one who only knows how to lie, deceive, and destroy.  The enemy seeks to steal, KILL and DESTROY us (John 10:10).  So he sends us those who also walk in woundedness or those who only come to feed off of our compromised condition.  If we are not careful we can be drawn into relationships that perpetuate and worsen our pain. I love the second part of John 10:10…BUT I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  It’s important to note that we even have a choice when it comes to God’s promises.  He clearly says, “I have come that they may have life.” It’s our choice.

Now, regarding the season of loneliness. God, who’s love can never be outdone knew exactly what I needed. In a season that began as something painful I learned that in my wounded state even I could have been that fly buzzing around and spreading my junk.  But, I could choose to be a butterfly, cocooned in a state of growth and transition. I chose life in abundance and He has taken me from glory to glory with the best still yet to come. That season made me stronger and I now can spread my wings and I can fly, and what I carry has the signature and scent of the greatness and glory of God.

Don’t Cry

Not long after that, Jesus went to the village Nain. His disciples were with him, along with quite a large crowd. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession—a woman’s only son was being carried out for burial. And the mother was a widow. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, “Don’t cry.” Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother. Luke 7:11-15 Message Bible

This woman was a widow and now she was burying her only son. I can’t imagine the walk of pain she was enduring that day. All of her hopes, dreams and future were now being carried away in a coffin. Have you ever been on a walk when you feel as if the most treasured thing in your life or dream feels dead?

Have you ever had something in your life look dead? Maybe your relationship with God or your  marriage, your dream, your job or your finances? Well, Jesus says “Don’t cry.” He is the only one who can breathe life back into what is dead. Sometimes what you are willing to let die in your life can He step in and now revive.

HE NOTICES OUR PAIN

Even though we feel no one can understand the weight of what we carry or how overwhelming it can be there is always one who can, Jesus. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke and in other translations it says “he was moved with compassion”. Compassion means more than to pity or feel empathy for someone but this word “compassion” means to “suffer with”. Come along side of someone and take action. It’s one thing to see someone and feel bad for them and another thing to notice and do something about it. Jesus wasn’t feeling sorry for her but took action to change her situation. You are not alone. He notices your pain and wants to touch what is dead and bring life back to you.

HE SAYS “DON’T CRY”

Jesus tells the widow not to cry. He wasn’t saying she couldn’t show emotion but that the story wasn’t over yet. She is in the moment while Jesus knows the outcome. He wants us to surrender it to Him and believe He can resurrect anything He wants to live again. We must know that if God gave it to you then no one can take it from you.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

HE TOUCHES THE DEAD THING

Until you are willing to surrender everything it will be your responsibility to keep it alive. Once you are willing to let it die can God can step in and revive. I am sure this mother wasn’t a terrible mom who caused the death of her son but yet he is dead. Sometimes things in our life come to a horrible end and not because we did anything wrong but He wants to be the one responsible for making it happen. Everything we have belongs to Him and He allows us to manage and enjoy those things in this life. Our children belong to God first and He has only entrusted them to us to train and enjoy. Our marriages are for our enjoyment and teach us relationship, perseverance and experience the joy of loving one another yet both individuals belong to Him first. Your promise is for your good yet to accomplish His purpose in our lives and in this earth. Your job is your livelihood but also to help further the kingdom of God. If you are struggling then you cannot add to His purpose the way He desires. He wants you to succeed more than you want to succeed. Determine to surrender today everything which looks dead and allow Him to speak life to it.

HE COMMANDS PALLBEARERS TO STOP

We must allow God to call some things in our life to stop. The attitudes, perceptions or ways of doing things that are causing us to bury our hope and our dream. We need to stop and assess the situation especially in the darkest moments and look at it as an opportunity to trust God, stand strong and look to Him. For some, this is the only time we reach out to Him when we are in desperate need of Him. Allow God to speak to the things that are causing areas in our life to die and let him do the rest. Are there things in our life carrying away the dead thing that God wants to stop the precession?

HE RAISES THE DEAD

Think about the thing in your life that looks dead or is barely breathing. Is it a ministry, a relationship or something you had wrapped in possibility and now it’s laying there as nothing. It’s in that moment when we have done everything we know to do and yet we see no growth, no acceleration or potential. You start to question everything, was it God? Did I miss it? What was I thinking? Nothing ever works out! We have to resolve that if God wants it to live, it will. Let Him touch the dead thing and decide whether it lives. It’s not a give-up attitude but a surrender attitude. Acknowledging Him to be the life giver and the only way it will happen is because of God!

THE DEAD SPEAKS

When Jesus touched the young man he sat up and spoke. What happens when the dead thing begins to speak? What will it say? When God does awake that which was dead be sure it speaks of God’s power, grace and truth. It is a testament to the God we serve and it displays His everlasting love towards us. People don’t need to see perfection in our lives. Not everyone can identify with a Christian who hides trouble or failure but someone who can go through and yet come out better can definitely give hope to the person struggling. Let your life speak to someone who feels dead and is in search for someone who can bring life.

JESUS GIVES IT BACK

We must be confident of God that He is not trying to rob us of a good life. He isn’t trying to take our joy. It is the enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy. Once He breathes back into what is dead He presents it back to us to maintain and do again. That is what is so beautiful about God is that He wants us to have life and have it more abundantly. Stay surrendered, put all of your dependency on Him and He will always guide and navigate you through in victory! Surrender the dead thing and watch God breathe life into the dead marriage, the dead finances, the dead relationship, the dead heart and whatever else seems over in your life and watch Him resurrect!

Mirrors

It was Sunday morning and I was supposed to be praying with team members before church. I was there in body only; my mind was on Housewives of Atlanta. At the time, it was a new show and I had just finished binge-watching season 1. I stood in prayer and thought, “I can’t believe that NeNe said that!” And then I felt convicted. I was supposed to be praying, and my mind was on the Housewives. I stopped watching the show because I realized that I was using TV to escape.

The eyes are powerful and we are often led by our eyes; hence multimillion dollar ad campaigns. Over the years Coca Cola, Microsoft, Kia, and Jaguar have each paid for an eight million dollar Super Bowl commercial. In 2011 Chrysler paid 12.4 million dollars for a two-minute Super Bowl commercial. Millions are spent on television commercials because we are captivated and consumed by what we see most.

When our eyes are constantly on entertainment and social media we can easily be lost in a world that doesn’t even exist. We are immeasurably influenced by what we see. Looking back on my teens and early twenties I am astonished at how much I allowed pop culture to influence my life. I loved music videos and I started to aspire to be like the people in the videos, whether I wanted to admit it or not. I wanted to be the girl who didn’t care what anybody thought, and did whatever she wanted. I wanted to be pretty girl that stole the spotlight when she entered the party. Then I wanted to be the person throwing the exorbitant parties. I did not simply “grow out” of this; my aspirations changed because my eyes were soon on something and Someone else.

When I rededicated my life to God, one of the first verses I learned was 1 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Let’s break this down a little:

1. When I look at God, it is with an unveiled face. There no longer has to be any separation between me and Him because He died on the cross.

2. When I look at the glory of the Lord it’s like a mirror. It’s like a mirror because I am made in His image, and when I look at my Father, I should look like Him. I should see Him in me. There should be evidence that He is working in me and through me.

3. As I sit in my Father’s presence, I am being transformed by the Holy Spirit and going from glory to glory. When you have a moment, read the Vine’s extensive definition of the word glory. Glory is the nature, character, and the acts of God manifested. Going from glory to glory means walking, talking, thinking, loving, and acting like my Father. I want to look like Him.

How can I see God? Soon after learning 1 Corinthians 13:8, I was I taught James 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror. The word of God, and Jesus are one according to John 1:1;14. Therefore as I read the Bible I see God! James 1:23 says that the word is like mirror, which means that when I read the word I can see the parts of me that look my Father and the parts of me that don’t. I then get to choose what I am going to do with what I see. Am I going to pretend I don’t see character issues, cyclical patterns, or wounds. Or I am going to submit to God, sit in my Father’s presence, and allow Him to transform me as I choose to keep my eyes on him.

We are to behold God and His word continually as our mirror. Interestingly, anything that we look at long enough becomes a mirror, because as we constantly look at something or someone we inevitably, even if subconsciously, choose whether or not we want to mirror their actions. Thus, we choose to keep our eyes on God and His word. The more I am transformed by Him, the more I am light and the more I love like He loves. God’s loving-kindness brings us to repentance and into relationship with Him. Therefore I want His loving-kindness flowing in and through me so that I can lead my family, friends, and anyone I know to Him.

The Voice of the Heart

Written by Remaliah Evans

Silence is powerful. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent and discerning if they hold their tongue (Proverbs 17:28 NIV). Learning to be quiet has kept me from much outside turmoil, however verbal silence does not always address the heart issues within. Holding our tongue is a first step toward maturity, not the end result. The mouth reveals the heart. As Jesus said, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What we say out loud and the inner dialogue we have with ourselves reveals our heart.

There are times when words escape my mouth, and I immediately wish I could take them back. I can’t.  Instead of focusing on the misspoken words, I make a choice to look at my heart.  I don’t always like what I see there, but that praise God that I am being transformed by Him everyday. As we take them time to look at our heart, God is faithful to reveal the areas in that need softening and healing.

King David gives us an excellent prayer regarding our heart. In Psalms 51:10 he prays “create in me a clean heart, Oh God and renew a right spirit within me.” That is a powerful prayer. David was well acquainted with sin and sin’s consequences, and he was crying out to God for help. We are to rely on God, His word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. It can be easy get offended or stay offended when we are not seeking God daily. Yet, it amazes me that when we do seek God daily, the offense still comes, however it is abundantly easier to forgive and walk in love.

When we fail we must choose get up and forgive as Jesus has so faithfully forgiven us.  I am an over thinker and anger seems to be the only emotion I know at times. So when I’m offended I can overthink the situation and then just sit there and get angrier and angrier all by myself unless I go to God, choose to forgive, and repent for my unforgiveness. We are deceived if we think unforgiveness and resentment is hidden deep within; the roots might be deep but the fruit is usually on our lips. I don’t ever want to hurt someone or displease God in what I say, so I am constantly forgiving, making the choice not be offended, and then asking God to create a clean heart within me.

The treasure in this process is experiencing God’s great love for us. He reminds me to pray when someone offends me and when I’m complaining to Him about the offense. Do you know how hard it is stay angry with someone you’re praying for? It’s virtually impossible because as the Holy Spirit leads us, we learn to pray God’s goodness and promises for them. When I have tried to villainize someone in my mind, the Lord is quick show me my part in the problem, and also remind me of the goodness within that other person.  I often ask God to allow me to see people how He sees them, because God always sees someone who is worth dying for.

Beyond wanting a clean heart so that I can please God, I also want a clean heart so that my vision is clear. When my heart is dirty, my vision is blurry, meaning I see and I hear everything incorrectly. If I’m already offended then it doesn’t take much for something else to offend me. If I am holding on to sin, shame, and rejection then it’s hard for me hear God speak and it’s hard to receive correction or apply wisdom because I’m distracted and hiding.  Like the prodigal Son, we can always repent and pray because God is with us.

In Psalms 139:7-8 David says,  ^“where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?  If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.” It seems David has come to the end of himself and realized that he can’t run from God; that’s a lesson in itself. In this verse we find that God is faithful to stay with us even when we are stubborn in our hearts. That said, this verse is not a license to stay stubborn and rebellious. The Lord is faithful to keep calling us that He may restore us into right relationship with Him.

As we mature in Christ, our goal is to write His word on heart so that we do not sin against Him. Our heart can be so filled with the word of God that we sound like our Father, we know exactly what His voice sounds like, and we know what is on His heart.

The Power of Words

Who’s Your Hero?

Written by Judy Smith

My family and I were watching a movie together at home with my great grandson. During the movie the hero stole a police car, rammed it into a building, and set fire to the building in order to smoke out the men inside. He then illegally bugged a room, held a receptionist against her will, and hacked into a computer system. Despite this laundry list of crime and mayhem he was deemed the hero of the story.

My grandson and his wife began discussing the trend toward bad boy heroes. “Where are the heroes with values that children should pay attention to?” they asked. My great grandson loves Jesus and understands the importance of honesty and integrity. However these law-breaking “heroes” really grab his attention.

Many of today’s heroes aren’t merely flawed, they have a dark side. They have angry streaks, and use illegal and immoral means to win the day in the name of their cause. Even some of the heroes of the faith in the Bible had moments of moral failure, and poor judgment. When we set our hero standard by anyone but Jesus, we risk forming an inadequate definition of a hero.

Jesus always spoke truth. He sacrificed everything for those He loves. Jesus is our protector, conqueror, and has flawless character. Revelation 17:14 “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

As I continued discussing heroes with my great grandson I shared with him that one of my heroes is Corrie ten Boom. She and her sister Betsy were prisoners in a concentration camp because they had hidden Jews in their home. When Corrie first arrived to the concentration camp she told her sister Betsy that she could not bear the lice that lived in their filthy blankets and mattress. Betsy replied, “thank God for everything, even the lice.

It turns out that because of the lice, the officers and guards kept their distance, allowing Corrie and Betsy to hold bible studies without fear. Eventually Corrie made it out of the concentration camp. God can turn our problem into a blessing. I had the privilege of meeting Corrie ten Boom before she passed at a church in Lynwood California. I was a new Christian and she was the first Christian hero that I admired. Who are your heroes?

Thank the Lord for His beautiful example and all of the others that He brings into your life. He is faithful to bring you those that will uplift you, encourage you, and keep pointing you back to Him. Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Crippled At The Table

Written by Kelly Elders

Have you ever felt so inadequate? You have all these dreams and goals yet there is this inadequacy that you struggle to develop? You’ve read, listened and tried your best to develop this area yet it’s still a struggle. What if you weren’t meant to be great at everything but at one thing? Would you need God if you were great in everything? Would you need others if you could do it all?

Maybe it’s your heart that seems so crippled with fear, worry, stress or depression? Does your heart struggle to forgive, move forward or love those who wrong you? You find yourself trying yet struggling with insecurities and every time you are inspired you can only see all of your flaws.

God invites all of us to the table, the weary, the hurting, the gifted, the inadequate, the fearful, the depressed, wherever you find yourself today. He invites us to sit and to be covered at his table. When we sit at His table He covers all of our faults, fears and yes even sin. We come imperfect before a perfect God because Jesus is our covering.

2 Samuel 9:7-10

7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”

9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.”

HE WAS INVITED WITH NO COVER CHARGE

Just as Mephibosheth never earned his place at the table. He only humbly bowed before David. He shouldn’t even have been left alive according to tradition but he remained. Most wouldn’t have considered him a threat, courageous or even worthy yet David the king invited him to eat with him every day. No matter your area of struggle you are invited by the King to take part in all He has to offer. It’s not a matter of accepting sin or weaknesses but to know that we are no longer defined by them. Where we are weak He is strong.

The table is a place of freedom, provision and acceptance. We need to make time to sit with Him and there He will give us all we need. He has prepared a place for each of us to sit but it is our responsibility to come to His table.

The Parable of the Banquet Luke 14:21

21The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’

WHERE YOU LACK GOD LINKS

Where do you feel crippled? What area in your life makes you feel inadequate? Maybe you are really creative and have an idea to sell your items but have no business skills and you never move forward with the possibilities. Ask God to link you to the right people. We are connected for a reason and purpose. Some of the best pastors and leaders lead well not because they can do everything but are connected with people who can. The leader doesn’t have to be the most gifted or even the most talented as long as they connect themselves with those who are gifted in the areas they lack. It was God himself that said it was not good for man to be alone. We are better together than any one of us alone.

Mephibosheth didn’t have the ability to work the field or even the capacity but David connected him to those who did. He enjoyed the benefits while someone else had the ability. I believe we are being connected to the right people which will bring us into our purpose and rightful position.

Your name is on the invite but will you take time to sit with Him today? Ask God to link you to those you need and those who need you!

For more from Kelly Elders, please visit KellyElders.com

A Woman Who Builds

Brighter and Brighter

Four years ago I lost my Mom. On the day she died I remember thinking, “who’s gonna pray for me now?” I know that’s an extremely selfish thought, but it’s the truth.

My Mom and I fought regularly. Still, she prayed for me relentlessly. There is nothing like the power of a praying Mom, a Mom that declares the Word of God over her children. James 5:16 NLT reads the earnest prayers of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Praying parents emulate Jesus because Jesus lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). There is power in prayer and in the promises of God.

I experienced the power of His promises even as I grieved. We grieve when we lose someone we love, and we grieve when we lose something that we love such a job or exciting opportunity. Even so, grieving eventually ends because we have the promises of God. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us that there is a time to mourn and time to dance, and God promises to heal the brokenhearted and bind up our wounds (Psalms 147:3). Jesus promises that we have the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, and Strengthener (John 14:26 AMP), and the Word promises that our path shines brighter and brighter until it reaches its full strength and glory (Proverbs 4:18 AMP).

Mourning passed as I walked through the grieving process with God, and realized that I could trust Him with my future. Mourning passed as I realized I could trust Him to heal my heart and wounds. He was and is my Comforter and Ever-Present Help even when the pain felt unbearable and never-ending. As I grieved I felt pain like I’ve never felt before and my mind was nearly consumed with crazy-making thoughts because I just wanted to make the pain end. For the first time in my life I could understand how mental breakdowns occur.

Guilt, anger, and loss nearly crushed me. But God IS His Word and He flooded me with His Truth and counsel. He reminded me that I have the mind of Christ, that He loved me, and He told me to start expressing my emotions. God’s voice is unparalleled because it is absolute Truth always motivated by unconditional love. I knew that if I was not obedient I would likely lose my mind. It was challenging, yet God had already led me to a support group, surrounded me with supportive praying family and friends, and His grace secured me. Mourning passed because God promised that my path shines brighter and brighter. No matter what happens, He has already guaranteed that my future is brighter than my past. It was hard to believe that when I was grieving, however God has been beyond faithful to me.

How could my life grow brighter after death and loss? Only God can do that, and He did it for me. He placed three faithful women in my life that call me daughter. They cover me in prayer and nurture my growth. I’ve known two of them for nearly a decade, and one since I was eight years old. Last week, I remembered how I asked “who’s gonna pray for me now?”  The next day one of women told me “you are my daughter and I cover you in prayer.”

I cried when she said that she was covering me in prayer because I knew that God was answering me. Mom is not replaceable, yet God graciously provided loving people just for me ahead of time. One of the other women proudly calls me her daughter every time I see her and when she introduces me to others. It means a great deal to me because despite our quarrels, Mom was always proud of me and she believed in me. It’s not a coincidence that I still have a motherly figure in my life that is genuinely proud of me. Not because of what I do, only because I am her daughter. She was placed in my path to make it brighter.

My path is brighter than it was when Mom died because mourning has passed and I will see her in Heaven. My path is brighter because I know that God is still answering the prayers that she prayed for me. Mom always prayed for my protection and favor, and I have never had a broken bone or surgery, and I frequently enjoy favor and God-given opportunities. My path is brighter because I am growing closer to Him- my God who answers prayer, heals my heart, and keeps His promises.

Mom’s, may you be wildly celebrated and honored this Mother’s Day and always. Thank you for praying and declaring God’s promises over your children. Thank you for showing them who Jesus is and thank you for your unrelenting love. God loves you and your children. Your path, and the paths of your children will grow brighter and brighter. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you and your children all the days of your lives, and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalms 23:6). Happy Mother’s Day!

Guard Your Mind

Written by Beverly Richardson

Well, just this morning I felt like giving up on my God ordained assignment. I start thinking about every reason why I should not be on the assignment. Why God, did You choose me for this job? It is so hard, I cannot do it. I do not have time. I began thinking about how far I had to drive. I watched the daily news that said the price of gas was going to increase. I tried to think of all kinds of excuses why I wanted to quit my assignment before the assignment was complete. I had allowed these thoughts to fill my mind. Fear and worry set in, and I had no reason to be fearful or worried about anything. Then I realized that I had not spent enough time with God, in His word lately. I had to cast all of my cares on God because he cares for me.  I repented and asked God for forgiveness, and then I as able to get back on track.

We should be well aware of the various ways in which Satan works. He attacks believers when he thinks it will be to his advantage. Especially after a great experience, or right before someone is going to begin a new opportunity. He also attacks when believers are vulnerable physically or mentally, and when Satan believers when are alone. Christians, therefore, must always be on guard.  How do we guard our minds against the attacks of the enemy:

Action 1: Pray

Our first response to a spiritual attack should not be panic, but prayer. We can’t fight effectively in our own strength. But when we ask God for help and seek His power we experience victory.

Action 2:  Speak And Believe The Truth

Jesus personifies truth. In John 14:6 Jesus says I am the truth. Satan is a liar. Jesus said this about him: He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his nature, because he is a liar and the father of liars (John 8:44). Satan’s native tongue is deceit. One of the best ways to combat his untruth is to surround ourselves, our families, and our minds with truth.

Action 3:  Choose Not To Fear

The natural reaction to a spiritual attack is first fear, then worry. If we stay in that place of panic, we forget to do the first two actions: pray and speak the truth. And if we camp in fear’s tent, we shrink back from the joy and power Jesus wants to give us in the midst of the battle. Ultimately, this comes down to a question of our trust in God. Do we believe God is bigger than our worry? Than Satan’s attack against us? Than the fears that keep us up at night? We have a choice to give into fearful thinking or surrender it to God, and trust His word.

Action 4: Let Go Of Control

When we encounter a spiritual battle, we tend to want to make everything right immediately. We want the fight to stop, so we try to fix the situation. We can’t micromanage stressful situations. We can’t orchestrate outcomes. We are not God, yet we can utilize the guidance, strategy and grace that He liberally provides.

We must always be aware of the thoughts that travel through our minds. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. In Proverbs 23:7 we read For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

To stay free, we must vigilantly guard our thought life and choose to give our burdens to God.