End of another week

Do you know the feeling of when you have been overwhelmed by emotions for so long and then all of the sudden things look and feel like that they are starting to be put all together? It seems that all of the organized chaos that I have been under for so long is beginning to to come together for the good.  There is light!  I am a persistent character.  I don't give up on what I think I want, nor do I want to live in torment. Even though I am starting to feel anxiety and depression start to leave me, I feel like I still need to have my guard up, to protect me, to be prepared for when it starts to crumble back at me. I do fully rely on God, the one true God.  I know that he will not leave me, even though I may feel like I am by myself, but then I realize that Satan is trying to get ahold of me. 

OH, the work of Satan is often mis understood.  When life starts getting good, you had better get your guard up against him. He knows your weakness and will pry until he gets you.  Yes, I believe in the work of Satan. There is the Lord God, and the counterpart of God is Satan. Satan presents what you may want, what looks appealing to you, and make it appear that it is from God. Funny how people falls for this. I have done it many times. I have looked for help in the wrong places, seeing what was presented to me for help, thinking it was from God, when knowingly it was from Satan trying to destroy me, my family and my work. One sad fact is that I know what God says, I pray and try to follow His laws, I just didn't want to see what was happening, I was falling into Satan's plans.  

Sometimes I felt like Job. Satan made a deal with God about Job.  Satan thought that if he could take everything away from Job, he would turn away from God and live for Satan. Job lost all of his family, his sons, daughters, wives, home, livelihood and friends. He never lost his sight on God. He never turned his back.  Of course he questioned on why, but who wouldn't? In the end of it all, Job prospered even more with bigger and better family, friends, and more riches.  God blessed him even better.  God rewarded him for not turning away.  God presented positive reinforcement (that is a behavior analysis term). 

The Lord God gives us behavior modifications to change our behaviors, he presents us with aversive reinforcement to change. However we have free will, and it is up to us to accept those changes. If we do not accept God's path for us, we will be physically and emotionally tormented through the work of Satan. It is important to know what God says to us, to know the truth. Even with knowing, Satan has the ability to make it seem like it is from God. By looking back, I can see where and how it all started, with a little bit here and there until the little pick in the rock became a large hole. 

By following the path of God, even though there are going to be trials, and some uncomfortable moments, due to Satan trying to pick and lead you off of the path, you will have the strength and guidance to follow.  

Think of it like this. If you was going for a hike in the woods, you are going to follow a path that is probably been worn down by other hikers. You may have a flashlight, a walking stick, your hiking boots, or some other protective foot protection, some water and maybe some snack foods. You are going to be prepared for the duration of what you planed for your hike. Along this hike you take in the sights, the sounds, the smells, the sensations of what you may walk upon. When you are tired, you will stop, take a drink of water, maybe a snack and continue on. 

Now let's look at what may happen if you go out and not be prepared. You have no water, no food, no flashlight, improper shoes. You will not go far, or may not even go at all. You will find excuses as to why not to go. You will be missing out on the peacefulness, the sights, the amazement what is out there.  

Where am I going with this? Well, the way I see it is that knowing God's word, by having faith, having those talks with him, he will prepare you for what he has in store for you. As I type this, I remind myself how I have to get out of my comfort zone and do more walking and talking with him.  You know the adage, of practice what you preach. God prepares us for what lies ahead. 

Not knowing, or refusing to look for him for the answers and for help, Satan gives us excuses, doubts, and the false sense of security in where we are not prepared for. We will find a sink hole along our hike and fall flat on our faces. 

Ok,now that I have this down, it is time for me to get my day going. I've done my daily devotion, about being prepared for His return and in 2 Timothy 4, the scripture is about knowing false prophets and being prepared for HIs return. 

When I am having a bad moment and I turn everything to Him, I envision Him taking his hands, hold them up and saying casually, "I got this". Of course He does. He has this before I gave it to Him.