satans a knock knock knockin'

Wow, one thing I have seriously realized here lately is how much I've been growing and wanting to grow closer and closer with God. Everyday I find myself learning something more, and realizing more. I find myself trying to handle situations the way Jesus would now, trust me that's not easy either. I fail that one constantly. What an incredible God we have. It's also amazed me at how much Satan has been knocking at my door. More than ever I have been overwhelmed, hurt, and just straight up angry. People have attacked me, for absolutely no reason. People have hurt me, for no apparent reason. People have been angry with me, for I don't know why. I've honestly felt very let down. I was thinking to myself and praying "God, I'm growing closer and closer to you but yet I don't feel protected. Why are these things happening to me?" I've realized that it's not God, its Satan. It's Satan trying to tempt me into leaving God, into not trusting him, into not growing anymore. There is nothing more that ticks ole Satan off. Satan doesn't like us Christians, and living a Christian lifestyle isn't easy.. it's actually a harder path to take. We have to deal with Satan, and sin, and rude/mean/hateful/jealous/(you catch my drift) kinda people. We have to deal with temptations. I personally have had to deal with the feeling of just simply being alone... growing in my faith, I have eliminated a lot of people in my life, all for different kinds of reasons. I've eliminated people who "sink my boat" as I like to call it, I've eliminated people who come to me about drama that I don't care about, I've eliminated people who tempt me to go out and drink and do stupid things that college kids do, I've eliminated people who simply just aren't good company, I've eliminated jealous people who want to bring me down (people throw rocks at things that shine) bye bye. With elimination I've realized how importanr it is to have people in your life that help you grow with a Christian lifestyle. I have my mom, a great aunt, and an awesome best friend, but other than that I'm alone. It's been hard, very hard. Deuteronomy 31:6 says " be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave or forsake you" I've had to rely on that, and trust that God has a bigger and greater plan for my life, regardless of Satan's evil hold on it sometimes and regardless of feeling lonely in these times, he's with me. That's all I need too. Also Isaiah 66:9 says "I will not cause pain and suffering, without allowing something new to be born". This verse has extremely helped me through everything, I may be going through a lot of pain and suffering right now but in the end I truly believe that God is having something "new be born" in... me. I'm being born again, I'm growing and going to become a stronger woman and be a more faithful woman. I'm not a perfect Christan, no one is. I'm impatient in times of need, and I question too much. It's really hard to love EVERYBODY, everybody.... I honestly don't know how our God does it, but being a Christian that's one of my duties.. its hard though. I often want to do things my way, and forget what God is whispering in my ear. I sometimes want to just yell at the person being rude or mean, and give in. But yet I know that's not the way I should handle things. Its hard... simple as that. Its SO hard being a Christian. Kindness can change the world, kindness is a Christian duty. A huge part of my growth that I'm holding onto strongly is that

God doesn't give you people you want, he gives you people you need.

To help you, to hurt you, and to make you the person you're meant to be.

Yeah, so what I've eliminated a lot of people from my life. What did they do for me anyways? Frankly, just bring me down. I have family and  a select group of friends that encourage, uplift me, and help me grow in my faith. Whats better than that? I have an amazing God behind my back to helping me through everything.. He's just showing me more and more everyday who deserves to be apart of my life, who wont bring me down, who will be kind and gentle to me, who will get the same from me. That's all I need too. God have given me the people I need, and I'm thankful for that.

 

I've also realized the importance of....

 

In the happy moments thank God

In the difficult moments seek God

In the quiet times trust God

In every moment thank God

Its extremely hard to seek God in times of need and in difficult times, that's seriously to me one of the hardest tasks of being a Christian. During these times you get more of flee feeling. I'm thinking, God isn't helping me, this is just bringing me down. Why is this happening? These times though are God speaking SOOOO loudly to you, its almost unbearable... .these are the times when he is calling to us more than ever and is wanting his children to be closer to him and pursue him more than ever. It is just so hard though, but I'm learning and even though I'm going through difficult times, I have no doubt that there is light at the end of the tunnel that's blinding!

I'm not doing this blog to write about my perfect life, perfect faith, and perfect everything. I'm writing to grow in my faith, and hopefully help people who may be going through the same things. I'm writing to tell people its not easy, I'm going through Satan's knock at my door constantly and he's knocking right now as I type. I'm not perfect, I never will be. I don't want to be. I may be lost and angry right now in my faith, but I'm have to never loose hope and I'm having to remember to always trust in him.. I can't let Satan have a hand in the door or any body part frankly... I've gotta slam it quick before he brings me down even more. This has been tough, but I'm doing my best to turn to God and trust him. Know that he has greater plans for me than I could every imagine. I've found many verses that have helped me and that I have leaned on throughout these past few months and maybe even longer than that. So I've brought some examples of things that I've had to deal with recently and verses to apply to those kind of situations that I have learned from for future reference

When someone attacks you in any kind of form
Mark 13:13 And you will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.
Luke 6:27-28 But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:22 You are blessed when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of the Man
^that one is my favorite, what a great way to think about when you're excluded or insulted.. God says that is a blessing! Amen to all the haters ;)

staying obedient with the Lord & thus being rewarded
1 King 2:3 and keep your obligation to the Lord your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees. This is written in the law of Moses, so that you will have success in everything you do and wherever you turn
John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Being cheated by someone you love or just anyone in general
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap
^pretty much the saying "what goes around, come around". We don't have to worry about Justice being served or being upset.. people will reap what they sow every time
Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.

Having a lonely day?
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit
Hebrew 13:5 Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you

Self control in situations
Proverbs 25:28 A man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, kindness goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it in check.

Going through troubles?
Romans 5:3-4 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.
Psalm 34:19 Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all

trusting in him.. through everything
Psalm 56:11 in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalm 125:1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever
Psalm 9:10 Those who know Your name trust in You because You have not abandoned those who seek You, yahweh.

Those are just a select few things that I have had to deal with lately but one things I always keep on my mind through Satan's knocking is

  Rejoice in Hope, be patient in Tribulation, be constant in prayer Romans 12:12

This life on earth isn't easy, and its gonna seem like "Satan's team" prevails and exceeds more than Christians pursing an eternal life. But eternal life is far more rewarding than the short amount of time we spend here on Earth.

 

Dear lord, lead me the rock, help me be patient and trust in your timing, for you are all I need and I give it all to you. Amen