" Brittany why do we have to keep going through this?" She looked at me with such frustration. I knew exactly the spot she was in. I too was there once, shoot I find myself there all the time. Because, let's be real, if we really had hearts and ears open to hear the Holy Spirit's voice and obey it, would we be in half the situations, struggles or pain in our lives as we currently have?
So often I forget the war that is going on all around us. I think most of us do. We get so caught up in the experience, the fun and pleasure island that we forget we are called to put on the armor of God on every day. This reminder has smacked me in the face numerous times over the last couple months.
We are on a battle ground. Each day our relationship is threatened with temptation, lust, desires and lies. Each day we fall short, giving into temptation, listening to non-truths and fully believing lies from the pit of hell. Each day I feel worse and worse, the internal wrestling with myself begins. Why didn't you do this? They think this about you! You aren't worth anything!
BUT......
"For it is by His grace that we have been saved through faith, and this faith was not from you, but it is the gift of God."
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."
" For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
As each day comes, as each error is made, as each sin occurs and with each struggle that comes I find myself praying more. Holy Spirit guide me, Father protect me, Jesus save me from myself. Then as I fall short, which I always will, frustration and self criticism veer their ugly little heads. So I turn and reference these verses and others like them and I cling. Each day I ask for forgiveness, grace, mercy and understanding. Each day my Father, the one who made me and created me lovingly corrects, gently protects and brings me back to a place of humility and thankfulness. He brings me back to the gospel, the love letter of all love letters. I would be nothing without the persistence, patience and loving grace of God. I would be another empty body searching all my life for a reason to exist, a place to belong, longing for something beyond this life.
Now I rest knowing that no matter how painful this life gets, how much I struggle and miss the mark this isn't it. I have a place, guaranteed that no one can take away from me. I am a child of God, his precious daughter and I have a home with Him and heaven to look forward to.
Too often we disregard the spiritual battle that goes on all around us. What if we actually stopped and saw it for what it was and proclaimed the name of Jesus at it? I wonder what that would do...
So often I forget the war that is going on all around us. I think most of us do. We get so caught up in the experience, the fun and pleasure island that we forget we are called to put on the armor of God on every day. This reminder has smacked me in the face numerous times over the last couple months.
We are on a battle ground. Each day our relationship is threatened with temptation, lust, desires and lies. Each day we fall short, giving into temptation, listening to non-truths and fully believing lies from the pit of hell. Each day I feel worse and worse, the internal wrestling with myself begins. Why didn't you do this? They think this about you! You aren't worth anything!
BUT......
"For it is by His grace that we have been saved through faith, and this faith was not from you, but it is the gift of God."
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."
" For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
As each day comes, as each error is made, as each sin occurs and with each struggle that comes I find myself praying more. Holy Spirit guide me, Father protect me, Jesus save me from myself. Then as I fall short, which I always will, frustration and self criticism veer their ugly little heads. So I turn and reference these verses and others like them and I cling. Each day I ask for forgiveness, grace, mercy and understanding. Each day my Father, the one who made me and created me lovingly corrects, gently protects and brings me back to a place of humility and thankfulness. He brings me back to the gospel, the love letter of all love letters. I would be nothing without the persistence, patience and loving grace of God. I would be another empty body searching all my life for a reason to exist, a place to belong, longing for something beyond this life.
Now I rest knowing that no matter how painful this life gets, how much I struggle and miss the mark this isn't it. I have a place, guaranteed that no one can take away from me. I am a child of God, his precious daughter and I have a home with Him and heaven to look forward to.
Too often we disregard the spiritual battle that goes on all around us. What if we actually stopped and saw it for what it was and proclaimed the name of Jesus at it? I wonder what that would do...
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