Side effects the same - mouth sores a bit better for now!
Today is a napping day! I think all the gallivanting about this past weekend finally hit! I am pretty tired, but not nearly as tired as I was in the beginning of chemo. Have had a quiet day -- being domestic and then resting....
Have been thinking about that phrase, "New Level, New Devil" - meaning that when you reach a new level in your faith walk, the devil ups the ante and comes at you with a new angle, or with particular viciousness.
This is brought to mind because of friends who had been going through a really rough time, but were making an effort to live life with the Lord more intentionally than in the past. They had come through that valley, and many things fell into place -big things like better health, new job, and a home sale. Suddenly they lost most of their possessions - certainly the most sentimental ones - to a fire. They have each other and there were no injuries, which is a special blessing! Praise God! That doesn't change the loss of pictures, favorite toys and books, jewelry, your favorite shoes and your underware! Imagine the feeling......
When I heard of this, it flashed through my mind that the devil must not be very happy with them trying to live their life in a more Godly way.
Some of you may think that this is a stretch, - but 1 Peter 5:8 cautions us to be alert because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. In John 10:10 Christ refers to the devil as a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy. We have a real enemy looking to bring us down any way he can!
Do you think perhaps that he is trying to discourage them from their more Godly way of life??
Is he perhaps trying to weaken their faith?
or make them think that God doesn't care about them or love them?
or do you think he could just be making them so busy with insurance and details that they are
distracted from talking to God's and seeing his blessings?
I'd bet on it!!
When things go wrong or you are tempted to doubt that God knows and cares what is going on, remember you have an enemy that wants to take you down! He doesn't care how.
Then focus on Christ who said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Remember Luke 12:6,7 where He says, "are not 5 sparrows sold for 2 pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed the very hairs on your head are numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." [Some of us, he doesn't have to count as high anymore to number our hair! :)]
Call to mind Jer 29:11 that God has a plan for you, to prosper you --and Ro 8:28 that He works all things for good to those who love Him.
Remember his admonition from 1 Thess 5:16-18 to be joyful always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. Not give thanks for all circumstances, but in them -- look for the things you can be thankful for -- focus on them -- on the goodness that He brings into your life.
Is all this the normal human response? No it's not!
We are not called to be 'normal.' We are called to live by the spirit (Gal 5:16) We have been crucified with Christ and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us and we live by faith in the Son of God, who loves us and gave Himself up for us! (Gal 2:20)
We are called to show the world how to deal with adversity while walking with God --
to hold out hope and a hand to those who don't know our God
So, when you are trying to live more closely with the Lord, and things go wrong -- remember that thief that wants to destroy you -- he's messin' with you! Watch for car trouble, illness, fights with your husband or your kids, or misunderstandings. He'll press your buttons!
Then remember your God -- and who wins in the end -- and look for things to be thankful for!!
Thankful for
daffodils
rain
naps
hair to have a bad hair day
baseball hats for the above
Chance
puddles
God's word
Thankful for you!
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