Be Careful...it knows what scares you.

This is a memorable line from a movie; I'm pretty sure it's from Poltergeist back in the early 80s. It still applies today.

Here I am, it's a typical Saturday. The kids are playing outside with friends, my oldest worked for most of the afternoon, Tim's at work, as usual, and I've finished housework and school planning for the week. I find myself sad, for no reason, so I go to God and ask why.

Without saying things I shouldn't here, let's just say that I hate Tim's job. I'm thankful he has one since we still need him to have one - and I'm thankful because there are worse ones out there than his - but I still hate it. We're going to miss church together tomorrow, just as we're in the process of trying to restructure our lives to purposefully put God at the center to get out of some bad circumstances. Out of the lots of stores he could be sent to tomorrow, he's at the one store I wish he didn't have to go to, ever. Because of a meeting, he'll even be there early and will work til closing.

I've prayed that we could eliminate his job with passive income for years, but it hasn't been willed for us just yet.

All that to say this...the enemy knows what scares you.

When you try to pray more, he makes things go wrong so you ask, "What's the use?"
When you try to do God's will, he causes old issues to pop up and distract you.
When you try to bring your family together, he'll cause a child to act out in a bad
way, or to get into trouble that requires attention and strife.
When you try to strengthen your marriage, he'll bring temptation and bad thoughts
to you or your spouse.
When you try to let go and trust God in all things, he'll harrass you with doubt and
fear and depression, until you feel sick to your stomach.
And when you're trying to make things in your life better, stronger, and holier,
he'll send you sadness, and bring up past hurts, disappointments, broken
trust, forgotten promises, and keep you replaying bad moments of the past.

That's when you need to run to God, run to the father, ask Him to hold you safe in His arms where the enemy can't touch you. That's when you need to pray for peace that surpasses all understanding. That's when you need to summon the power of Christ in you, deny the schemes of the enemy, acknowlege his lies, and demand he leave you.

Remember, in Christ, He's strong when you're weak. You've been given all authority over the enemy. You CAN defeat the enemy in the name of Christ.

I hope this helps someone besides me at their time of need.