I have a few guest blogs that I am posting! I hope they hit home and that you can relate in one way or another! I apologize for my disappearance, I decided to fast from Internet the past month! Two months until I’m home!!
The blog below is writren by one of my best friends, Ashley Freese. She is currently a teacher in Ankeny, IA! I hope you enjoy it!
Whether you’re halfway across the world, or in the capital of the state of Iowa, the battle is the same. The devil wants to win.
As a teacher, I am put into a situation everyday where I can share the light of God with my students. Although, through separation of church and state, I cannot technically share my faith, but I can share with my students what a Christian woman looks and acts like. I can share the light of God by acting like Christ. When my students look at me, I want them to see a compassionate, caring person. I want them to see someone who loves them unconditionally as He has loved me (appropriately of course!!) I want to be a model for them of how to live a life that pleases God.
But that’s when the devil steps in. The last thing the devil wants is for me to influence these kids in a positive way. The last thing he wants is for the love and compassion and life of Christ to shine through me in a place of darkness. So in he sends the stress and anxiety. In he sends the extra morning breakfast duty, or the kid who knows exactly what to do to push my buttons. That way, instead of seeing the love of Christ, they see the anger of the devil (I even got called the devil two weeks ago!)
What I have discovered recently though, is the God always knew there would be struggled. In John 16:33, he says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The last part of that verse really hits me.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
He never said it would be easy, or without struggles and setbacks. But He already overcame the worst of it. He paid the price by sending His son to overcome sin and death.
So wherever you find yourself today, whatever battle you may be fighting, and whatever struggles the devil might be throwing you way, take heart. God has already overcome it all.
Thank you all for continued encouragement and prayers!
xoxo,
Kaitlin
