Let. me. tell. you. In case you’ve forgotten or grown numb to the actuality — there is an enemy. And if we’re a threat to his agenda, then he will relentlessly attack. Which is both good news and crapified news.
Good because if we’re God’s — listening to and (imperfectly) obeying Him; wanting Him to use us for big things — then it’s confirmation of our pursuit of the holy. Crapified…because it just stinks.
I mean, the enemy knows exactly where we’re vulnerable. Exactly. He knows how to take the proverbial knife and stab it right in the place where we’re scarred. He’s been doing it for centuries. And he knows the longings, fears, and weaknesses of man. Believe me. He knows mine.
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.
1 Peter 5:8-9
But here’s the awesome, encouraging, lace-up-yo-runnin’-shoes news. God has him on a leash. He only allows him to sift us “as need be.” And in the process, our Father never forsakes His children. He tells the enemy how far he can go and then, “Enough.”
Enough.
Yes, it may be crapified to walk through certain fiery seasons. I mean, really. But it’s also good — the painful, “this hurts me more than it hurts you” good. Because God means it. He allows it as a catalyst in our sanctification process. The process in which we’re being made to look more and more like His Son.
So keep on running, my friend. Lock arms with those running the race beside you and press on. Press through. Press into Him. We’ve got a faith-race in front of us. And I don’t want to be found sitting on the curb.
Fill me, Lord…
How’s your faith-race going?
oh amen girl! lace em up! no matter what we’re facing, God has claimed the victory again and again and again – He’s got this, even when I’m not even sure which direction we’re racing 🙂
Yes! Even when I am clueless as to where this is all leading. Running beside you, friend.
It is a beautiful race filled with muck -but beauty is there once we throw off the chains if sin-bondage and cling tight to the freedom promised at the end-when the past,present and future collide with our true eternal lives -no longer bound in human sinful flesh-but the true body of faith we were created for. Thank you Lara for your truth and inspiration
Blessings to you, Rebecca. 🙂
Love this. How true!
I almost gave up in this faith-race because of what I could see with my human eyes. I was thinking “what if this Big dream I have is not God’s will for us?” At the moment I questioned that, the same moment I doubt God’s calling in my life and my family.
But am so thankful to God who gives the desire and the power to keep on running and searching Him by reading & meditating His word. I am so thankful for the godly women community and group I am in now. He uses all of the to encourage me.
Thank you for sharing God’s voice today. It is a reminder and confirmation for me to keep on running with faith and truting God. He is the one who call us to go and do whathis will, He is also the one who will make it happen.
Blessings to you Lara!
Oh that is such a scary place to be (and you are definitely not the only one who has been there!). Without His empowering, like you said, I think we would all sit down on the sidelines. Praying for you now, Helen. Run it, girl.
My faith walk was stirred up big time this week as I dove into Hebrews 11… God opened my eyes to common faith threads in the examples of the pillars of faith that are described in that chapter. It was incredibly eye opening. All I could do was weep and tell God I wanted that kind of faith but felt oh so far off. It’s like I had to go find that verse about having faith the size of mustard seed because I wasn’t even sure my faith was that big. So I’m asking him to take my grain of salt sized faith and grow it into something far larger. Glad to see you back at blogging….have missed you in this space.
Believe me. I’ve had that grain of salt faith at times. Amazingly He so graciously works with even the tiniest of specks. He loves your heart, friend. And He will faithfully answer that prayer. I just know it.
thank you for these words today! So glad that even when we are “imperfectly” obeying Him, it confirmation!! Lots of imperfect going on in my life these days! 🙂
Lots of imperfect over here too, Julie. Lots. He’s grace.
Crapified. Love that word. I will make it my mission to use it in conversation today.
This made me laugh, Sarah. Glad I could impact your day. Ha.
YES, this enemy is prowling and relentless! Thank you for that pep talk before the game…before the battle (or rather, in the middle of the battle). I need the reminder to not give up or let up because it is hard, but rather EXPECT it to be hard, especially when I’m trying to follow the Lord. I’ve missed you.
Lara, you wrote this for me today. Seriously. I’ve been wrestling with this for days and I NEEDED this, to remember that God holds the leash, to remember that it’s for purpose, that we wrestle, and in our weakness Christ is our strength. The enemy’s been needling all of my soft spots this week, and it’s. been. so.hard. Thank you, just thank you.
It probably partly because you wrote that amazing book that’s pushing people deeper with their Lord. Love you friend. Praying right now for you.
Walking through some fire right now. Not feeling great but know that it is what I’ve been wanting. Purify me Lord. Burn away all that doesn’t look like You. Well He is. Ouch! So grateful He is with me in the fire to bring forth a vessel of honor. Thanks Lara for your thoughts today. They are a blessing.
Ok you know anything about running I’m all about! I just love this. I know that He is my biggest fan in this faith race I am running. It’s affirming to remember that he puts us through the test “just enough” and it’s for His glory.
Great post friend!
p.s. love that you used the word “crapified”. I am inserting that into my vocab asap!