Ever been just minding your own business, enjoying the blessings of the Lord and you get side swiped out of nowhere? Welcome to one of the enemy’s tactics to throw you off of your game!
Years ago, my daughter had made cupcakes for our family. It was Halloween night and I was busy enjoying answering the door and giving out candy and commenting on all the kid’s costumes in our neighborhood. After some children left with their candy in tow, I turned to shut my front door and out my candy bowl down, when my daughter came out from nowhere and crammed one of her cupcakes right in my face! I had green icing up my nose, in my hair and blinding my eyes!
Have you been side-swiped by the enemy?
Out of the blue, you see a post on someone’s Facebook that reminds you of a wound they inflicted upon you. From nowhere, you see someone from your past that throws you back to a time that was extremely painful. A smell, a song, a picture, or even a piece of clothing. Satan could care less what it is just as long as it totally derails you.
What do we do? How do we overcome these things? We know they are going to come but how can we be prepared?
I believe at the root of these things that hit us unexpectantly is an attack on our identity. They are sent to make us doubt and question our identity as sons and daughters, as joint heirs with Jesus, as adopted royalty.
Here’s a truth to remember: The love of your Father God, is extravagant! You cannot even begin to express or understand the full measure of His love, exemplified by the death of His Son, Jesus. Just as the enemy likes to throw negativity into your path, your Daddy loves to throw blessings our way out of nowhere! Undeserved blessings of health, family, a home, food, clothing, a faith family, a job, laughter, true friendships, etc.
So at the moment if the enemy’s interruption, just start recounting all the blessings of the Lord that He has so richly given you. Let your mind be captivated with all of the good so that this little attempt of the enemy doesn’t cause you to skip a single beat in the rhythm of your waking with God. Kind of gives a new meaning to “keep in step with the Spirit”, huh?!!!
Philippians 4:8-9
“Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, think about those things. Whatever you have learned or heard and received from me or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
The quickest path to peace is to captivate your thoughts with the goodness of God and His undeserved favor over your life.
When the Bible speaks of taking your thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ, it means that instead of your thoughts controlling you, you start controlling your thoughts! YOU get to choose what you think about! And if you don’t like what you are thinking about, choose another thought!
In these moments where the enemy throws a link in your day, press in to your Abba, and begin recounting ALL Your blessings! Worship the Lord for who He is and thank Him for who you are because of who He is!! Remind your soul of your identity as a child of the Most High! That’s the surest way to shut the enemy out and to shut him up!
Don’t forget to register for our summertime online study in the book of Proverbs! Just go to www.jenaforehand.com/proverbs-study and register! We will jump in on May 24th and learn how to reign in life!! Don’t miss it, and invite your friends!!!!