1 Peter 5: 4-11. Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  Be sober-minded, be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.  And after you have suffered a little while the God of all grace who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.  To Him be the dominion forever and ever.  Amen!

So, how’s your battle going today?  Are you sick and tired of the struggles or have you found some rest?  Life is full of both, but when you are in the heat of a battle, it doesn’t feel like there are both!  One day I was pouring my heart out to God, actually, it was probably more whining than anything, telling Him that I just couldn’t take the non-stop frustrations and battles, that I just didn’t have the strength any more for the fight.  He said, “Janet, that’s life!  As long as you live on earth, there will be heartaches and struggles, stop trying to do it all in your own strength.”  I have had an “I can do it myself” attitude since I was a little kid and unfortunately that flows over quite often into my spiritual life and I have to remind myself, that no, I can’t do it myself, nor should I want to!  The devil is looking for someone to devour, so you can’t let your guard down whether you are on a mountain top or in the valley of life, keep your eyes peeled!

Those days of victory, sunshine and rest in life are truly the best and I have grown to cherish them more as the years go by, but to a degree, there’s a lot to be cherished in the struggles and battles as well.  Those tough times draw us to His side, but He wants us right by His side every day!  He allows us to face life on earth so we will learn to lean in and get to know Him.  He wants to show Himself mighty in your life, but He won’t force that.  He wants your focus every day.  He wants you to truly get to know Him so that when struggles and heartache come, you are carried through by His strength and power in your life!  He loves you so much and He wants a deeper relationship with you!  Don’t wait for the struggles in life to get to know Him, open yourself up to a wonderful and deeper relationship with Him today.  Stop thinking that it is just for someone else, it’s for you! If you notice in the verses above it says that He, Himself, will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you!  He loves you! He wants a serious, close relationship with you so you can walk through life together every day!  Pour yourself into getting to know Him better today, don’t wait another day!  The best is yet to come!

Quote: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson