“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12

Lately, I’ve been struggling.  I’ve been sidetracked.  I’ve taken my eyes off the Goal.  You know what’s interesting?  I’ve found that I am very rarely intentionally distracted.  Getting distracted happens easily. Staying focused? That’s the hard part. The part that needs constant encouragement (from the Word and from other Christians).  So I am writing this to you so that you may be encouraged, sweet friend, because it is so easy to get discouraged in this life.

For instance: Why didn’t I get invited to the party?  She didn’t write me back.  He looked at me funny; why is he mad at me?  Why hasn’t she called; did I say something that upset her? No one has hugged me today.  My kids hate me.  I can’t do what they want me to do; I’m not qualified. I’m so tired, sick, fat, and frumpy. Our country is doomed. No one cares. I can’t do anything right. No one does anything right. Why am I always the one doing everything? This life is so hard! …and on and on and on…

Oh friends read carefully: Those thoughts are from the enemy of your soul.  He wants you to be at your lowest.  He wants to infiltrate your thoughts and make you sink into a black hole of “me, me, me.” Because when you’re thinking like that, you can’t be thinking like Him. And when you’re not thinking like Him, you can’t act like Him. You can’t love like Him.  You can’t be the Light this dark world needs. And Satan rejoices.  He sees you sinking into the darkness all the while God is calling for your heart to wake up and suit up. “Put your armor on, child! I am here for you! But you have to WAKE UP.”

I woke up today. Satan is NOT going to win this war in my heart or mind.  My God is with me, and we have work to do. 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”  ~2 Timothy 1:7

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:9

“ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ~Matthew 6:31-33

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up….” 1 Thess. 5:11

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” ~Hebrews 10:24-25

…are the years I spend with Jesus.

I grew up in a Christian home.  I don’t remember a time I didn’t love Jesus and want to please Him.  I hit that “age of accountability” very young because the Bible and Biblical principles were taught daily.  As soon as I knew sin for what it is (a separation from God), I wanted to be baptized to make myself right before Him. I was 8 years old when I decided to live for Jesus.

But… that doesn’t mean I have always “lived for Jesus.”  There have many many times throughout my walk with Him (these 22 years…wow!) that I have chosen to live for myself. To live for fleeting pleasure or material gain. There have also been times I’ve chosen to live for someone else.  Putting the wants (or what I thought they would want) of others above my love for and obedience to the Lord.  I heard a POWERFUL sermon from brother Eric Owens last night (I will probably share it here when I can figure out how to do that! lol). He talked about the difference between “salvation” and “sanctification.”  So in my case, salvation came early, but sanctification (for the longest time), was a journey of one step forward and two steps back.

The best years of my life are when….

• I choose holiness over happiness.
• I make life choices based on prayer and study of His Word, instead of my worldly opinion or fears.
• I daily choose to serve others (and seek for opportunities to do so) instead of myself.
• The best years of my life are those filled with days of yearning to be at His feet, learning more of who He is so I can better reflect Him to others.

When Jesus is at the center my eyes are opened to my purpose, and life just doesn’t get better than when one’s purpose is clearly set before her and she obeys.