What happened this week?

Last week I posted a blog entitled “Sometimes We Have To Be Reminded” which talked about the importance of praise no matter what we are going through. As a result the daily devotions this week were all focused on giving us ammo for our praise. (check them out daily devotions!) My whole intention was to provide any reader with just one reason to praise even if they felt like there were none. So I thought, 

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I responded to that thought with a hesitant --------------->

So here it goes…

It was soooooo hard for me to praise God and even do the things I love to do this week no lie! I was good until the moment I pressed send on the blog post at midnight last Sunday. I was already super exhausted after making sure I had a couple of my projects done on time and ready for release, one of these being Let Him Lead which, is available for download right now! Download Now!!!  so when I plopped down in bed I didn’t think too much about the minimal attention I gave to God in our devotion time that night. Bet if I would have taken the time I would have been a little bit more aware of what I was about to come up against.

Sunday while getting ready for church I was doing fine until I realized I would be late. It was a steady struggle from that point on. I ran into my Pastor in the parking lot, he was in such a good mood and praise-filled it automatically let me know that I was NOT lol…I literally had to force myself into praise mode and force myself to remain there. Once I was in, I was in but when I was out it took that same fight to get back there. All this and the only thing that happened was me being late…not exactly a storm! This was just the beginning of a week of fighting for my peace, strength, joy, and ability to praise.

While I hope last weeks daily devotions were helpful for you, they were surefire reminders for me that 

no matter what forces I might be facing I have a reason to praise God no matter what. Even if it takes everything I have to get there. And believe me, it took all I had this week. 

A couple years back when I was studying Jesus being tempted in the desert I read a quote in my NIV Application Study bible that said 

"The devil often tempts us when we are vulnerable—when we are under physical or emotional stress (for example, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty). But he also likes to tempt us through our strengths, where we are most susceptible to pride. We must guard at all times against his attacks."

Ever since I read that I have been much more sensitive in how I respond during the times listed above and after I have completed a task that has taken a lot out of me or a task that is beneficial in walking in who God has called me to be. As I struggled this week to do everything, except sleep because that was easy, I reminded myself of the above statement and would force myself to praise, pray, write, engage with someone outside of myself etc. One day while I was studying I came across another reminder dealing with Elijah in 1 Kings 19:3-9. Elijah was experiencing fatigue and was super discouraged after two big spiritual victories. There was a quote that followed in the application portion:

“Often discouragement sets in after great spiritual experiences, especially those requiring physical effort or involving great emotion. To lead him out of depression, God first let Elijah rest and eat. Then God confronted him with the need to return to his mission—to speak God’s words in Israel. Elijah’s battles were not over; he still had work to do. When you feel let down after a great spiritual experience, remember that God’s purpose for your life is not yet over”

I think that is where the message lies for this week. For all those walking in Christ, I’d say read those quotes one more time and insert your situation…As long as we are walking in the will of God we are going to face opposition from the enemy. His job is to roam the earth looking for whom he may devour…you hear? He seeks, kills, and destroys anything and anyone who is not working on his team (1Peter 5:8, John 10:10). So if you are in a vulnerable state or coming out of a turbulent storm, stay strong and prepare yourself now to fight against the enemy. Of course we can’t punch him in the face no matter how awesome that sounds but we do have spiritual weapons. I talked about them in “He Prepares Us” please go read if you don’t know what they are and then use them! 

When you feel that wall of resistance rise up even though God is telling you to GO, DO, and BE, you better fight your way through it. Praise, Pray, and Purpose yourself to walk in your gifts and callings, NO MATTER WHAT!!!!

Last week I had to take an inventory of what changes had occurred in my life over the last few weeks to figure out why I might have had to fight just a tad bit harder this week. I’ll share them with you in the upcoming daily devotions! Don’t forget to check back in!