Targets

I've come into habit to expect the stones that make me stumble while walking my path of faith. I've come to expect targets being drawn on my back as I worship the one Creator of the Universe. I've come to expect the world to be cruel because this is not my home.

Because not all enemies carry swords and arrows, some just carry a grudge.

Romans tells us, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;"...

Think about that with your Americanized mind for a moment, rejoice in sufferings??? Really, God? Seriously? You have got to be kidding me...

My reaction was just that a few years ago as I felt persecution, as I felt the Devil having a field-day with my family, my life. He was celebrating our misery. Celebrating our shortcomings. And I knelt over and let him dance right upon my back, pushing my face further into the mud of this world.

And suffering has come knocking again. The shortcomings have come calling.
Financial burdens, friendships put under stress, work related agonies all here. Building an army to destroy my castle in the sand.
But, I think the Devil missed the memo that I've been made new...I have the King of Kings on my side, the Rock of Ages standing strong.

Take the castle in the sand, Satan. 

"Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you 'Don't panic, I'm right here to help you.'" Isaiah 41:13 (The Message)

 God has GREAT things in store for my life for His glory, not my own. 

And I will REJOICE in these shortcomings. I will REJOICE in these burdens. I will REJOICE in the Lord, our God, who loves me at my lowest of lows and my highest of highs. I am a child of the KING and no target on my back can ever take that away from me!

 

So if you're feeling the troubles that come along with this life, know you aren't alone. God is for you! He delights in making us new,  restoring us for His glory. Don't believe the lie the enemy whispers in your ear. You are NOT alone. You have brothers and sisters here on this earth willing to pray for you, to lift you up. And you are in God's hands. He is faithful. He is good. And He will never abandon you.