“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
Satan has seriously not left me alone since deciding to go on this trip. He keeps trying (and sometimes succeeds) to steal my excitement and peace and replace them with doubts and fears. I start to think I’m crazy for doing this, wondering if it is really worth the sacrifices. Will I really change? And what in the world am I going to do when I get back?? These little life-sucking gifts come to me almost daily, and I just really don’t appreciate it anymore. I am about to embark on the best adventure of my life, so I’d really like for him to just BACK OFF!
My sister and I have this little activity we like to call “Satan-bashing”, where we recognize times in our day we know Satan is trying to make his move, but we don’t let him. And then we tell each other about it later and laugh at him together.
“Guess what? I was having such a good day today and then someone just had to pull out in front of me and go 2 mph, but ya know what? I decided to not let it get to me, and I just slowed down instead.”
“Good job! Yeah, I was so frustrated today, like everyone was getting to me, but I finally decided to love them instead of keep hating and my day got better. Nice try, Satan.”
“Ugh, he can be so annoying. He kept trying to distract me while I was doing my Bible study, so I did two chapters instead of one. Take THAT!”
These are just little examples, but there is something about going out of your way to recognize Satan trying to work in your life and calling him out on it. Try it sometime; you may be surprised! It did get me thinking though, is it a sin to talk badly about Satan?
I don’t know the answer to that, so I’m sorry if you were expecting one, but I was hung up on it for quite a while and I was actually getting kind of feisty thinking about Satan deliberately getting in the way of God’s plans, trying to knock down one thing after another. I felt the need to stick up for God and defend him in the midst of Satan’s rudeness, and it was in the middle of thinking about fighting for God that I was reminded of something: THE BATTLE IS ALREADY OVER! And I’m sorry Satan (not really), but God won. And being that I have already chosen to be on God’s side, it looks like I’ve won too (again, not sorry). So about that spiritual warfare you’ve ever-so-kindly sent my way, I know I’ve been fun to pick on, and I will admit you are pretty good at it, but it’s time to let me go. It’s a lost cause. I choose God. Every time.
Prayer requests: Is it weird to pray for Satan? Pray that God gives him the heart (does he have a heart?) to leave me alone. He has fought hard, but God has already won and now he’s just being a sore loser. Also pray that God gives me what I need to show Satan who’s boss and that it’s time to give up on me. I mean, I’m trying to live my dream here?!?!
Also, training camp is in 10 days! This is where I will meet everyone in my group and get a better idea of what we will be doing this next year. Pray for strength outside of comfort zones, friendships, good weather (although I know that won’t stop anyone from having a good time), and also for extra time before then for me to learn how to set up my tent :/
I again want to praise God for always being there for us and reminding us who is in control. I challenge all of us to learn to separate the good from the bad, recognizing they come from two different perspectives, one who speaks truth and one who lies to us and convinces us it is the truth. If anyone watches Orange Is the New Black, the lovely Vee Parker is a good example of the latter, getting inside some of the girls’ heads, making them believe lies like they are truths. We can see it perfectly clear from the outside, but when it is happening to us it isn’t so easy. Stick up for the good, disregard the bad. It’s not worth your time.
Fundraising update: I am currently at $5,100.07, which means I am 31% funded! Next fundraising deadline: $7,500 by August 22nd. I again ask you to prayerfully consider supporting me to help me live this beautiful dream ahead of me! Happy Wednesday, all!
