Satan Magnifies Misery
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. ––Psalm 139:4-6
In the end, remember this: whenever emotions, words, and conclusions begin to be exaggerated, take a deep breath, take a break, and take inventory of reality. Take what’s inside to God and trusted sources outside for help. Yes, easier said than done, especially in a hairy situation.
Tell God what’s going on inside, what you are thinking, and how you feel. Watch film of Jesus to learn how to do this. Watch Him battle it out: Do you remember when Jesus went to that place called Gethsemane; he took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him? Jesus fell to the ground and prayed, “My Father if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me” (Matthew 26:39). See what He does? He is battling to do God’s will, doing it with a ton of honesty, and not giving Satan a chance to mess with His emotions. He took those burdens to God and to His friends. Although the disciples could not fix how Jesus felt, He just needed to interrupt the turmoil inside, dump it, and fight through it to do the right thing. This was the “all man” part of the also “all God” character of our Savior.
Are you in turmoil today? Go to God. Talk to Him, then find a promise in the Scriptures you can stand on. Romans 8:28 is a good place to start: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Surrender your will in the situation to God’s.
Follow this up by turning to a safe friend (spouse, if you’re married) who will listen and loves the Lord. Many times all you need to do is talk it out to see that things aren’t as bad as you think or feel. Satan does not like to be interrupted while he’s streaming discouraging thoughts our way. These disciplines do just that and shut him down.
Father, how do I begin to thank You for the love You have for me?