Feeding Trust

“Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness.” (Psalm 37:3 AMP)

Psalm 37 starts off with the phrase: “Do not worry.” I must confess...worry is my natural response to most negative situations. It’s like a knee-jerk reaction that I can’t control. Fear and anxiety feed off of each other and create a cycle of despair. Nothing good comes out of this. Often, in a crisis situation, I am unaware of what is happening to me. It’s like being in an ambulance and getting hooked up to the wrong IV solution. I do not realize that the stuff that is being pumped through me is causing further damage.

In every emergency, what I need is an IV  infusion of trust in God. I need to feed on HIS faithfulness, not on my fears. Worrying makes me focus on my problems instead of on God. Dread shoots up into my mind, dominating every thought and infusing every emotion.

In order to be fueled by trust, I must submit to the Holy Spirit, relying confidently upon His care. I can trust Him to hook me up to the right solution. I will commit everything to Him--my disappointments, my frustrations, and my anger. I shall wait patiently in His presence, depending on Him to nurture,  restore, and sustain me.

LORD, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed. (Psalm 119:116 NLT)

Reflections

“I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” (Psalm 16:8 NLT)

Have you ever sat quietly near a lake and looked at all the reflections? Or are you one of those people who feels the need to skip rocks or shout across the expanse to hear your own echo? Perhaps you cannot enjoy a lake without going out on the water in a motorized boat, fishing, drinking, or being dragged behind on a flotation device. Most of us have difficulty being still. It feels passive and useless. We feel the need to always be doing something, even if it is unproductive.

Worrying is like churning the waters up--it may feel like we are doing something, but it merely muddles up everything. Listening and responding to the echoes of our own fears only increases our uneasiness. Meditation is like sitting still and looking at the reflections of a placid lake. It allows us to notice all that is present. When we listen to the silence, we hear God’s voice. When we look at the stillness, we see that He is right by our side. When we remain quiet, we are enveloped in His peace.

Lord, help us to cease striving. May we rest in confidence by Your side.

Compassionate Healing

“Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.” (Matthew 20:34 NLT)

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 20, two blind men ask Jesus for healing. The crowd tries to shush them, but they shout even louder for help. I wonder why the crowd wants them to be quiet?

Jesus has compassion on the blind men and heals them of their blindness. Their clear vision enables them to follow Jesus--not just tag along with the crowd.

Many of us go through our days blindly. We are unable to sense anything beyond our own viewpoints. Our perspective is limited to what is right in front of us. We are like a herd of buffalo. We keep moving because we don’t want to be left behind or trampled. Unfortunately, our lack of awareness sometimes causes us to follow the herd right off a cliff.

God is merciful. He knows our weaknesses better than we do. However, He waits for us to ask for help. As long as we are unaware of our sickness, we do not seek healing. We continue on with our mindless habits. The Spirit within us gets covered up by layer upon layer of indifference, distractions, and short-term pleasures. Then one day, our afflictions cut through the layers like a scalpel. We become painfully aware of the yuckiness within us and around us. We cry out to the Lord in desperation. The crowd around us says: Shush! You are making us uncomfortable.

But, we can no longer be quiet...we know we are unwell, unclean, and undiscerning. We must seek help.

“LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.” (Psalm 107:13-15 NLT)

Seek the Giver

“Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (Psalm 105:4 ESV)

When I was younger, I used to seek out friends who were fun, ambitious, clever, and successful. I aspired to be more like them. Being around them made me feel good about myself. As I grew older, I was drawn to different kinds of people--devoted mothers, people of sincere faith, and those who espoused simplicity and authenticity. Even though my values had changed, I was still looking for friends who could help me become who I wanted to be. I was more fixated on what my friends had to offer than on who they were as individuals. This realization was quite upsetting. I was not as good a friend as I thought. I resolved to change. These days, I focus more on the spirit of each person I meet, apart from the blessings they bring into my life. I seek to know their essence, to understand who they are apart from how they relate to me.

My relationship with God has also changed. I used to focus more on what God could provide and less on who God is. My needs were numerous and pressing. My prayer life consisted mainly of petitions. Getting to know God was secondary.  This realization was quite upsetting. I felt convicted to change. I asked God’s help.

Lord, teach me to trust You for WHO YOU ARE, not just for what You can do for me.

Praying on the Armor of God

Jesus, I pray that ____ will be strong in the Spirit and in your mighty power. Lord, Place Your godly armor upon ____, so that he may be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For he is not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil, unseen powers of darkness and spiritual oppression.

Grant _____ the strength to wear Your protective armor, and teach him to use every offensive weapon, so that he will be able to resist the enemy in times of evil and stand firm even after the battle. Strengthen him with a core of truth. Protect his vital organs with a vest of goodness. May he stand his ground with cleats of peace. Teach him to hold up the shield of trust against the fiery arrows of despair. Protect his head with the awareness that he has been rescued from darkness into the light of God. May he learn how to attack evil with the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

Teach ____ to pray in the Spirit at all times and to stay alert and persistent in prayer. Lord, express Your mystery to him directly, in ways he can understand.

Praying Ephesians 1

Lord, may Your grace and peace pour into our lives. You are holy. Take us to the high places of blessing with You. Before You laid down the foundations of the earth, You had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of Your love. Long ago, You decided to accept us as Your own. What pleasure you took in planning this! You wanted us to enter into the extravagant grace of your beloved son, Jesus. Because of Your sacrifice and suffering, we are free--free from the penalties and punishments of our misdeeds. Not just barely free but abundantly free. You thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans you took such delight in making. You set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in You, everything in deepest heaven and on earth.

It is in relationship with You, Jesus, that we hear the truth and believe it, find ourselves home free--signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This seal from God is the first sign of what is coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us--a praising, glorious life.

I thank you Lord, for the solid trust that you evoke in us. I ask you, Jesus, to make us intelligent and discerning in knowing you personally, our eyes focused and clear, so that we can see exactly what it is You are calling us to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life you have planned for us. May we experience the endless energy and boundless strength of Your power working through us, as we trust in You. All this energy issues from You, Christ. God raised You from death and set You in power--in charge of running everything, forever. At the center of all of this, You rule the congregation of all those who trust in You. You speak, act, and fill everything with Your presence, through those who trust in You.

Scripture Prayers

“God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.” (Hebrews 4:12 MSG)

When I am in dire need, I have a difficult time formulating the words to pray sincerely. I used to fall back on memorized prayers from my childhood, but these days I have found a more powerful way of communicating with God. I read through Scripture and rewrite the verses in my own words on paper. I turn God’s Word into prayer, directly communicating my concerns. If I am concerned about a certain person, I will insert their name and change the pronouns to fit. Then I use what I have written out, reading and praying my customized prayers, rearranging the words as the Holy Spirit nudges me. Sometimes I may only need a few verses; other times, I paraphrase entire chapters. I like to the use the Message translation of the Bible for this exercise, because it is already written in conversational English.

The practice of using scripture verses as prayer is nothing new; it has been used by many before me. The reason I am writing about this is to share my experience and to encourage anyone reading this to try it for themselves. I will share my paraphrased prayers from Ephesians 1 in the next post.

Cleats of Peace

“Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.” (Ephesians 6:14-15 NLT)

In order to have sure footing on muddy ground, it helps to have shoes with traction. Similarly, in order to stand our ground in troubled times, we need cleats of peace. When we think of peace, we imagine something smooth--not knobby and protruding. Peace is much more than a mere cessation of stress. It is the assurance of knowing God is able and dependable.  This comes from acknowledging that He has complete authority over our past, present, and future. When we remind ourselves of how God has worked in our lives thus far, it allows our souls to grip the ground firmly. We exchange our flip-flops of ease for cleats of peace.

I had a tangential thought about this subject that requires me to switch metaphors...

When defending against the enemy, it helps to have support. When a pack of elephants senses danger, the matriarch trumpets a call for help. The mature elephants surround the young and the vulnerable members, forming a circle of protection. Similarly, we do not have to face evil on our own. We can call on prayer warriors to stand shoulder to shoulder with us as we defend our young ones and stand our ground against the enemy.

(I am grateful to my friend, Shari Childers, for sharing her thoughts on Ephesians Chapter 6. This post is influenced by her insights.)

Compassion Quota

“God told Moses, "I'm in charge of mercy. I'm in charge of compassion." (Romans 9:15 MSG)

Compassion allows us to be empathetic. Mercy prods us to alleviate suffering. Some are blessed with an unlimited supply of  these gifts, while others are not. When it comes to compassion and mercy, I have a tipping point. There is a limit to what I will tolerate. Once someone has crossed their allotment, I can’t seem to muster any more empathy.  There are exceptions--God has given me the grace to feel unconditional love and compassion for my husband and son. This gives me hope that, through divine intervention, I will eventually develop a more merciful perspective toward others as well.

According to my sister, compassion is a lot like flexibility. Some are naturally more pliable, while others have to work at it. Even if you master certain yoga positions, it doesn’t mean you can do every kind of move. Each joint, muscle, and ligament has to be stretched gently and regularly in order to increase flexibility.

Forgiveness is an essential part of compassion; thus, I have been working on being more lenient. However, I am finding that forgiveness alone is not enough; forbearance, the ability to patiently endure continual provocation, is also needed. To me, forbearance feels a lot like permissiveness, enabling co-dependence and abuse. Thus, this step is extremely difficult for me.

I realize that my compassion quota system is not ideal. It reveals rigidity and self-righteousness. I will continue to practice--to bend, to stretch, to reach, and to yield. I will not be able to do this on my own. God is in charge of compassion and mercy. I will ask Him to train me.

Lord, help me to develop a compassionate heart and a merciful perspective.

From Believer to Disciple

"Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33 MSG)

Do you believe that exercise is beneficial? Most people do. Every year, millions of people get gym memberships with the best of intentions. They even show up and try a few exercises. However, when the training gets difficult, many of them give up. Having a gym membership won’t make you fit unless you are willing to put in the work.

Many Christians are content to be merely believers. They have recited the salvation prayer, been baptized, and are hanging on to their entrance pass to heaven. They don’t see any need to go further. They are like people who admit that exercise is important to health but are unwilling to do much more. Professing faith is only the first step; practicing faith is what we are really called to do.

Discipleship allows us to develop the spiritual strength and endurance that we need to stand up against evil. This requires discipline, commitment, sacrifice, and effort. We have to be willing to let go of our agenda and our desire for comfort.  A consistent, focused regimen of faith builds up our trust muscles, increasing the power which flows through us.  As we train, we notice our priorities changing. Our energies get redirected. We care less about self-promotion, whether it is in this life or the next. Advancing God’s purpose becomes our primary focus. We push through toward the goal, guided by the upward call. Instead of simply pledging our allegiance to God--we actually participate with Him. We ascend from merely believing to discipleship.

Have a God Day

“Today is my day to be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled down out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him.” (Luke 19:5-6 MSG)

In our family, we have two levels of cleaning: weekly cleaning and cleaning for guests.  The other day, my husband mentioned that we should look at the house from a ‘guest point of view’ even when we aren’t having anyone over. We have gotten used to certain things over time, and they no longer bother us too much: dust on shelves, shoes near the door, mail on the coffee table, cobwebs in the basement, etc. However, when we know guests are coming over, suddenly we notice all these areas we have neglected.

If Jesus were to be a guest in our lives today, how would we prepare?

When I look at my day from a godly perspective, the main issue I notice is a tendency toward indulgence. Nothing extraordinary...just the usual stuff that most people do: eating mindlessly, wasting time online, allowing inefficient thoughts to influence my mood, etc. I tolerate these habits, because they are gratifying to some degree. I am aware that my life is not as it should be, but I let things slide.

Clearing the clutter of indulgence requires discipline. We cannot continue catering to every mood and whim. We are in training to be disciples, and our daily regimen must reflect that goal. We have to be prepared to receive Christ and others He brings along with Him.

Lord, help us to be ready, stay focused, and have a God day.

Brackish Water

Brackish Water

“A spring cannot pour both fresh and brackish water from the same opening, can it?” (James 3:11 ISV)

Although the sources of freshwater and seawater are different, they can be found together in certain instances. Brackish water, a mix of saltwater and freshwater, is often found where rivers and streams flow into the sea. This water is stagnant, murky, and bitter.

Similarly, when worldly aspirations get mixed up with sacred purpose, the outcome is often muddy. When our desires and God’s will get tangled, it’s difficult to know which is which. This results in confusion and restlessness.

Estuaries and mangrove swamps, where brackish water is typically found, are often populated by mosquitoes, crocodiles, and other unpleasant creatures. One of the unusual species found in these waters is the archer fish. These fish shoot water from their mouths at insects living in the trees, knocking them into the water where they can be eaten.

The confluence of holiness and worldliness is often swampy. We are bombarded with annoying distractions and threatened by menacing afflictions. Undefinable fears shoot down and swallow our immature faith. Many of us get stuck in this quagmire, never experiencing the freshness of the water further upstream. Those who are willing to leave the world behind and move closer to the Divine source are blessed with clarity and vitality. They are suffused in brightness. They are strengthened by the Spirit.

Feeling Hated

Feeling Hated

“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other.” (Matthew 24:10 NIV)

I remember the first time I felt hated. It was during the Iran hostage crisis. Many of the brown-skinned children faced animosity from other students in school. Boys who ‘looked’ Middle-Eastern were chased and beaten up; it didn’t matter that they were Christians who lived down the street. As I grew up, I tried to forget these things. I tried my best to become assimilated. The slight accent that I had picked up from my parents was virtually unnoticeable. I was able to move through my days without thinking much about bigotry. Until the terrorist attack on 9/11 happened. Once again, we were treated as suspects until proven otherwise. We didn’t go out to malls or public areas for months, because people would sneer at us. Air travel was the worst. We prayed we wouldn’t have to go to the bathroom on flights, because that was considered suspicious activity for people who looked like us. Eventually, we learned to live with this. The 2016 elections have brought out our fears again. Over the last year, we have heard so much hate speech on TV directed toward people who look different. My family and I are hesitant to go to new places and public events again. My son, who is a young, brown-skinned man faces racial profiling on a routine basis. I am sickened by this.

I know that what my family faces is nothing compared to the persecution that African-Americans, Muslim-Americans, or newer immigrants from non-European countries experience. Many of us who look different no longer feel accepted or welcome in this country, and we have no other place to call home. This might seem overly dramatic, but I have nightmares that my family and I get rounded up and sent to concentration camps. It wasn’t too long ago when Native Americans were forced into reservations, and Japanese-Americans were corralled into internment camps. Even recently, African-Americans were routinely stopped and frisked in certain cities. Hispanic Americans are asked to prove their legal status in this country, even when they have been living in the U.S. for generations. Muslim-Americans are often treated like potential terrorists.  The hatred is not imaginary. I know that many of my Caucasian friends are not racists, but I wonder if they can understand our fear. Would they stand up for us if things got any worse? Would they hide my family in their attics like some Germans hid Jewish families during the holocaust? Even though many Germans were Christians, they somehow were able to justify persecuting the Jews. They just relabeled their hatred as patriotism. They turned away from their faith and hated their fellow citizens. They saw them as less deserving of respect and dignity because of their faith and their non-Aryan features. I wonder how much things have really changed...?

Assigned Tasks

“Meanwhile, we'll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God's Word.” (Acts 6:4 MSG)

I make lists of things I need to do. While some of the things get done quickly, other tasks remain on the list for a long, long time. I find that I put off doing chores that I find difficult or time-consuming. Instead, I spend my time on projects that give me immediate gratification or feedback. I want to dedicate more focused energy toward prayer and allowing God to express Himself through me.

Prayer is the process of communicating and connecting with the Divine. The gospels frequently mention how Jesus took time away from the crowds to pray. Most of us are reluctant to dedicate time and space to solitude and silence. It feels onerous. There is no immediate feedback. It seems like a waste of energy. However, prayer is the crucible where our spirit melts and amalgamates with the Spirit of God. Without it, we are disconnected,  dysfunctional, and powerless.

When we devote time to regular communication with God, He expresses Himself through us. He uses our lives to connect with others--to show love, to serve, to speak, to comfort, to be empathetic, to grieve, to encourage, to instruct, to caution, to provoke thought, to give clarity, to heal,  to praise, to reveal joy, and to  exhibit gratitude. Self-expression takes a backseat as we realize that what we have to say pales in comparison to what God wants to express through us.

Recognizing God in the Mundane

“I will do this so people will observe and recognize, so they will pay attention and understand that the LORD's power has accomplished this, and that the Holy One of Israel has brought it into being." (Isaiah 41:20 NET)

Iowa is NOT the most exciting place on the planet. The state and its people are unobtrusive. But for those who are observant, beauty is everywhere--rolling hills covered in corn, emerald green pastures dotted with cows, brilliant autumn leaves, tranquil ponds, blazing sunsets, and  starry night skies.  The geode, Iowa’s state rock, is a good symbol of its unassuming nature. Geodes are rocks that look rather plain on the outside, but when cut, they reveal sparkling crystals on the inside.

Life here is similarly unpretentious.  Our days are filled with the mundane. Yet for those who are open and attentive, the sacred reveals itself. Inside every plain encounter, there is a spark of the Divine. Yet, most of us fail to recognize the holy. We cannot overlook that which seems simple, dull, or generic; instead, we have to examine everything, crack it open, and look deeply for the sublime presence of God.

Breakthrough

“Then your light will break through like the dawn, and you will heal quickly.” (Isaiah 58:8 GWT)

When our dreams are shattered, when our pride is crushed and our strength is exhausted, how do we react? I have seen some people who gather up their meager resources and push through. However, many of them grow sullen and bitter over time.

A friend of mine lost her husband to cancer this year. She has two young children. Most people who face such tragic circumstances would feel broken and defeated, but she seems to be thriving, despite all her difficulties. There is an unexplainable glow about her. When I asked her about this, she replied: “I do not operate from my human strength; instead, I draw power from a higher realm.”

When the power of the Holy Spirit works in us, we don't break--we break through. Our circumstances may not improve, but our perspective deepens--allowing us to recognize God in our midst.  The light of the Spirit streams wisdom and power into our lives--illuminating the darkness, displacing fear with courage, and supplanting weakness with strength.

Truth vs. Popularity

“Your task is to be true, not popular.” (Luke 6:26 MSG)

Would you rather be liked or respected by others?

I think most of us would want respect over popularity, but our behavior indicates otherwise. We seek to please and gain approval. We want to be seen as enjoyable company. We try our best not to be disappointing to our loved ones. We imagine that our actions will garner favor with others and eventually lead to respect. Unfortunately, this is not always how it works.

Truth requires contemplation--an interior journey towards self-awareness. Popularity, on the other hand, is always an external campaign. When we seek to be true to ourselves, we honor ourselves. A commitment to personal integrity is essential to self-respect. This immediately acts as a repellant to many kinds of people--those who are frivolous, shallow, fake, image-conscious, egotistic, manipulative, condescending, etc., are uncomfortable around truth. The upside to this is that it clears up space for those who are authentic and respectful to approach. Thus, if you really would rather be respected than liked, seek self-awareness, be authentic, and pursue truth.

Not My Path

“The Holy Spirit blocked that route.” (Acts 16:6 MSG)

When I am knitting, I don’t always pay attention to my stitches. Sometimes I lose count and mess up. I hate having to take apart hours of work, but the alternative is to continue on as is and end up with a misshapen product. So, I have to unravel my work to the point where I made my mistake and redo my stitches.

For a while now, I’ve been asking God to clearly direct my paths, but I don’t think this is happening yet. All I have noticed is a slight tug when I’m about to take a turn that is not meant for me to take. I used to go along with all sorts of stuff that didn't feel 'true to myself'. In the last few years, there have been several instances where I’ve felt: this is not my path, not right now.  I don’t always listen to these instincts though. I keep going along until I’m forced to face the fact that I’m on the wrong path. Then I have to turn, and go back to the point where I veered off course, and get back on track again.

Unraveling Safely

“Come apart into a desert place, and rest a little. ” (Mark 6:31 DV)

What do you do when you feel as though your life is falling apart?

Most of us just try to power through. We attempt to push forward because: THIS IS NOT A GOOD TIME! (As if there is ever a convenient time to fall apart.) We don’t want to disappoint those who are counting on us. I have fallen apart several times in my life. It always feels scary, embarrassing, and irresponsible. I so badly want to keep it together, especially in front of certain people.

If you are driving down a highway, and your wheels are about to come off--it is imperative that you pull over to the side, away from traffic. Then call for help. We all need secure shoulders in times of  vulnerability--out of the way spaces where it feels safe to be out of commission for a while. It also helps to have at least one friend who will come to our aid. It is not this person’s job to put us back together again--but he/she can keep us company and redirect traffic away from us.

When our lives come undone, we have to take some time and space to sort things out. We need to be authentic and transparent. It helps to be in a quiet place away from the confusion and criticism of the masses. However, we don’t have to handle everything on our own. We can reach out for help.  We know that there is One who loves and accepts us unconditionally. And He finds ways to channel His Spirit through certain people that He places in our lives.

I pray that we may all have safe people and safe spaces in times of vulnerability.

Good Tenants

“You may think you have cleaned out the junk from your lives and gotten ready for God, but you weren’t hospitable to my kingdom message and now all the devils are moving back in.” (Matthew 12:45 MSG)

One of my friends owns a few apartment units that she leases to renters. She has had to evict several clients because of various issues, so now she is very selective about who she is willing to allow on her property. When a unit becomes available, she cleans it out completely and makes necessary repairs and updates. Then she waits. She may put the word out through her family and friends, but she doesn’t advertise or put out any signs in front of the building. She knows from experience that the wrong tenant can wreak havoc. So she keeps her units ready and her eyes and ears open.

I have always thought that my mind is similar to an apartment complex with many units. In the past, I have not been careful about who or what I’ve allowed to occupy this space. I have experienced damage and loss, because I was hasty to fill any vacancy immediately. Emptiness seemed unprofitable. Thus, I always stuffed my mind indiscriminately--even if it was with fillers and busyness. These days, I am more selective. I wait--staying alert and vigilant at all times--screening every thought, attitude, idea, and opportunity. I listen for the recommendations of the Spirit of Truth. I stay ready, waiting expectantly for God’s purpose to occupy my life.

Lord, clean the junk out of our lives and make us ready for Your Light, Your Word, Your Meaning, Your Purpose.

Devote Yourself

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” (Colossians 4:2 NLT)

I woke early this morning thinking of all the things I had left undone from the previous day. Where did all the time go? What did I devote myself to yesterday?  It was a busy day filled with lots of activities, but I’m not sure if any of it will make a difference in the long run.

I desire to live a life of consecration, not desecration. However, my days are polluted and congested. I sense that time is sacred, yet I’m easily diverted. Good intentions aren’t enough. In order to keep from wandering, I have to rededicate myself over and over.  

We can choose a consecrated life of focused prayer, gratitude, encouragement, study, teaching, and service. If a lifetime of devotion seems too daunting, take it day by day. If even that seems too much, dedicate just the next hour, and then the next...and so on.

Lord, may I consecrate every hour of every day to Your glory.

Halloween Costumes

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT)

Every Halloween, the neighborhood kids come to trick-or-treat at our house. Same kids, different costumes. When they were younger, they used to wear cute costumes and carry little plastic pumpkins to collect their candy. As they got older, they started showing up in scary costumes, with large garbage bags to hold their loot.  

Recently a wise friend mentioned how we all face the same issues, over and over, in different forms. I recognized the truth in her statement. Every year, my struggles show up at my front door in slightly different costumes, demanding more and more from me. Initially these weaknesses seemed harmless, but now they have grown to be intimidating. They started off asking for very little, but every year they demand more and more.

Most of my issues can be distilled down to a core weakness: lack of complete confidence in God. This puts me in the position of having to fight my demons on unstable ground. Without firm footing, I am doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over again.

Lord, teach me how to stay alert, recognize recurring issues, stand firm in faith, and defend against the adversary. Help me to have complete confidence in You.