Let GOD Fight the Battle..Choose Love

   Sometimes, you just have one of those days. The kind where the devil just tries to get at you any way he can. Some days it is easier to fight that spiritual battle than others.

   When I am faced with a spiritual battle, sometimes I remember to put on my armor and other times..well, I forget.

Ephesians 6:13(NIV)~ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything , to stand.

   The truth is, Satan has no power over me since Christ lives in me. I can rise up and conquer that junk..for lack of a better word..and tell Satan to get away from me! There is power in the Holy Spirit! There is power in Jesus’ name!

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)~ But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

   How many times do we let little things get to us? How often do we read into someone else’s comments? Why do we sometimes think that someone is being hurtful or negative towards us when they are just being the way they are..which is imperfect..like the rest of us.

   I have learned that not everybody thinks the same way as I do. I have also learned that my perception can be totally different from what someone’s true intentions are. We are all made different. Some are more alike than others. One thing we all have in common though, is the need to be loved.

   The enemy loves to use our differences to keep us down or against each other. God wants us to love and accept one another,  and to be kind and thoughtful in our words and actions with each other. God is love.

John 15:17 (NIV) ~ This is my command: Love each other.

   How often do we waste time..precious time..walking around wearing our feelings on our sleeves…asumming that “somebody” has something against us?  Does it hurt when people don’t think before they act or speak? Yes! Guess what else? People are going to let you down…but GOD never will!

Psalm 42:5 (NIV)~ Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

   Put your faith, trust and hope in GOD. Love one another..and try to look past the faults that we all too easy seem to find. Fact is, we all have faults.

  Prayer is the best and most effective tool we have in this battle. Think about it..prayer is a direct line to God. Who better to turn to than God when you are feeling low or hurt or even annoyed? How often do we forget to go to God in prayer before we go to a friend or even worse..before we act or speak? He is the best friend you could ever hope for and He always has your best interest in mind.

Romans 12:12 (NIV) ~ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

   The best advice I could give you right now if you are feeling discouraged because you are internalizing some negative outside forces (hurtful words, other’s opinions, or your own assumptions even), remember that God is greater than all of that. Remember that not everything is as it seems. Remember that if you are saved, the power of the Holy Spirit lives in you. Remember that you are not perfect either. Remember to pray. Also, don’t beat yourself up when you fall into that old trap..rise up and fight the battle of negativity with GOD leading you!  Last but certainly not least, forgive and let go. Bitterness, anger and dwelling on negative just robs you of peace, joy, and precious time. Jesus willingly forgives and forgets..if you really want to be like Jesus then an unforgiving spirit just isn’t an option.

Colossians 3:13 (NIV) ~ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

   Blessings and Peace to you all!