Hi Y’all!
I often post memes with Bible verses from my readings that meant something to me that day. Most of the time I don’t comment with them but allow the Word to speak to the reader. Maybe sometimes I should add what they meant to me that day.
Recently, the verses from 1st Peter hit home. It is a strong encouragement to stand firm because we have an enemy.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
So relevant, especially these days!
The word RESIST stands out to me.
It’s hard to RESIST so many things. Here are a few common ones:
Sugar, gossip, alcohol, little white lies (as if there is such a thing), bad carbs (or whatever the latest health advice says), gambling, drugs, lust, negativity, or anger. And many other temptations I haven’t thought of.
I’m almost 60 (how did that happen?!) and I’m still working on myself. I am still learning to have self-discipline, but something hit me anew!
The first excruciating no is the hardest—that first denial of self to have that something we are tempted for. (Like saying no to that donut when we know our triglycerides and bad cholesterol numbers are up!)
The second no is still hard, but a sliver less painful.
But the more I flex that no muscle—the more RESISTANCE I practice—the stronger I become!
Standing firm becomes easier. At last 😊
And then if you replace that no with a positive, healthy replacement yes (like service to others or saying uplifting things to those around you), you’re even better off!
So those are my thoughts for today. What’s going on in your life? Send me a message or comment on this post.
Blessings,
Janet
Below is a picture I took that inspired Caleb’s morning prayers in Holding On to Hope. I often sat on a bench looking at the Gros Ventre Mountains praying and waiting for my family to get ready for the day.
If you haven’t read my rom-com Holding On to Hope, get your copy here 🙂 Amazon
