"The mind feasts on what it focuses on. What consumes my thinking will be the making or the breaking of my identity." ~Lysa TerKeurst I don't know how long it's going to take, but one of these days I'm going to realize that it's never a good idea to proudly let Satan know that I'm getting emotionally stronger day by day. It only challenges him to find yet another area of my life to torment. The crazy part is that he is so stinkin' crafty I really didn't realize his most recent mission until I read this book. Talk about an "ah-ha moment"! You may remember another book by Lysa TerKeurst that I read and LOVED and blogged about here almost a year ago. A dear friend of mine also remembered and gave me this book for that very reason. While I appreciated the sentiment, I figured I couldn't relate to it very well once I saw the subject matter. "Lonely"? Not me! My best friend (aka my sweet husband) and I enjoy being together all the time! In addition, I actually enjoy spending time alone with books, photography, etc. Regardless, I figured...why not? It's Lysa TerKeurst! So, I read it, and I want you to know that less than a chapter into the book, I knew God intended to shine a very bright spotlight on an area of my life I was too embarrassed to acknowledge: Not being a member of the Cool Kids Club bothered me....and it bothered me that it bothered me. Know what I mean? No? Not making sense? Keep reading. "Honesty isn't trying to hurt me. It's trying to heal me." Think back to your high school days (maybe even Junior High). Were you one of the "cool kids" or did you glance over at them as they all laughed at yet another inside joke and wonder why you weren't ever cool enough to be a part of their group? Maybe you've never even considered what "rank" you were way back then. To be honest, I never classified myself as anything special. I HOPE most everyone in my very small hometown remembers me as a person who tried to be nice to everyone. (If that's not the case, I sure hope someone will call me out on it, so I can make that right.) Now, let's come back to present-day. How do you see yourself now? Do you think it's different than how OTHERS see you? Here's the thing... it is my belief that many self-appointed "Cool Kids" turn into self-appointed "Cool Adults" and display even more elite-ness and exclusivity now than they ever did back in the day. Maybe it's a choice. Maybe it's from insecurities that they don't even realize they have. Whatever the case is, the Cool Kids Adult Club leaves many folks feeling out of the loop...not important enough....unwanted even....and that can be an extremely lonely place to be, which is where this discussion turns to that great book I just finished reading.... "Uninvited" by Lysa TerKeurst. "Satan knows what consumes us controls us." ~Lysa TerKeurst I'm a fairly intelligent woman, and I realize that everyone cannot be close friends with everyone. In fact, truth be told, I don't want to have a ton of close friends. Just a few really close, loyal, supportive friends are all I need. Yet, lately, I have been consumed (yes, consumed) with the notion that I am clearly not cool enough for a certain Cool Kids Adult Club. I've been bothered by it, and it bothers me (a lot!) that it bothers me! See what I mean? Consuming! Controlling! A vicious cycle instigated by the Serpent himself. "Truth is the perfect tranquilizer. The enemy's power is rendered powerless in the presence of God's promises." ~Lysa Terkeurst Yes, the Cool Kids Adult Club is a group of REAL people, and while their eliteness IS hurtful to folks that don't make the cut, THEY aren't really my problem. Satan is. Again. As I said earlier, it's starting to sink in that he's going to continue to prowl around seeking prey like me to devour as long as I live life on this earth. Luckily, I have the perfect tranquilizer for just such a beast: Truth straight from my God! "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." ~Ephesians 6:12 "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ~John 16:33 Ah, yes.....Peace. Now THAT'S something worth talking about, and this wise author gives those of us that feel the sting of rejection ten important things to cling to when uncertainty and discouragement seem to overshadow faith and joy. Ten things for me to cling to when Satan whispers his lies in my ear.
Bottom line here for me....Satan is pushing me harder than he has in some time (and make no mistake...he has pushed me HARD in different seasons of my life). I get the feeling that he really wants me to be so overwrought with "stuff" that I'll finally just succumb to what he keeps trying to convince would be best for me and all those connected to me. He's powerful. I'll give him that, but I still know in my heart that he is NO match for my Savior, and it is in Him that I will continue to put my trust. "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.' He will cover me with His feathers, and under His Wings I will find refuge." ~Psalm 91:1-4 I could end this post here, and I think my point could be made, but I want to add one more quick thought. I've been writing this particular blogpost for several days here and there as I have a few minutes to sit and focus and write. It's been yet another dark week for me, (I've had lots of those lately) and as I've been writing this one I have repeatedly thought...no one cares other than my family. Not really. So why am I even bothering to express myself here? (That's Satan again....working overtime.) Then, out of the blue at an event this weekend, someone approached me and asked me point blank..."Are you okay? I've been watching you from a distance for a while now in person and on social media and you just don't seem yourself. You and I just need to go get some supper together one night and catch up." If she's reading this right now, I want her to know that I am grateful for her concern and public expression of that to me. It gave me a renewed sense of Hope. God used her to let me know there ARE people that DO care. In addition, I think our conversation was meant to remind me that HE cares and He's going to continue to give me that Peace that I am so desperate for. Wow! I serve an awesome God! In my closet, I have tons of scripture posted that I look at daily. I also have this quote which, other than particular Bible verses, is probably my favorite to remember.... ....and I think it's time for me to take this to heart. So, I have decided that if I'm feeling "less than" for any reason... I'm going to do my best to remove that reason from my life (as best I can anyway). I know, I know...it just means Satan will try something else to influence my thoughts, but I'm holding firm to the Truth. So, in thinking about that Cool Kids Adult Club situation... consent denied. If my words have struck a chord with you in any way, I'd like to encourage you to read this book. God might want to shine a spotlight on your heart just like he did mine. Maybe you're feeling "uninvited"...or maybe, just maybe, you're the one doing the "uninviting" and you don't even realize it. Either way, Lysa TerKeurst can help you figure it out. In the meantime, as always, I ask you to pray for me and my emotional well-being. I'll be praying for you as well! Until next time,
~D
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AuthorHi! I'm Dot. I refuse to succumb to the "empty nest syndrome"! So, this is my journal.....my photo album.....my attempt to enjoy the next chapter of my life as it unfolds. Welcome to The Roomy Nest! Archives
January 2020
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