A few days ago, I had someone I knew from a long time ago run rampant and comment nasty things all over my facebook. When I saw all the hurtful comments, my heart started racing and I could feel the blood rushing to my face. Tears poured down my face. I couldn’t believe the things this person was saying.
They told me that I was huge, that I amounted to nothing and that I wasn’t a good enough Christian.
I choked back sobs. I immediately deleted the comments and blocked them.
But it was funny…because just the night before all of this happened, I was on the phone with my mom. I was telling her that I was genuinely in the best place of my life. Closer to God than I had ever been and living a life with my husband better than I ever could have dreamt.
I had so much joy because I was finally in a good place. I was living the life that I prayed for in the darkest moments. And I was believing for even more good things in the future.
So when I was attacked by all the nasty comments, I was reminded that the Bible shows us in so many stories that when things are going great, the enemy feels threatened and attacks to try to trip you up because there are even greater things coming.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
Things were going so well for me and the devil didn’t like that. I was a threat!
He didn’t like that I was pursuing God fervently. He didn’t like that I was finally writing these devotionals everyday. He didn’t like that I was praying for people all the time. He didn’t like that my husband and I were doing good financially. He didn’t like that I was so full of faith and joy all the time.
I had to choose to rejoice and take it as a compliment. The devil wanted me to get so hung up on those evil words so that I would just give up, so that my confidence would go down the toilet, so that I would second guess myself, so that I would stop pursuing God so hard, so that I would stop believing for my breakthrough.
And the best part is, when we all go through trials and crappy things, it’s an opportunity to become mature and complete. A chance to be stronger.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:10
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matt 5:11
So the next time you have one of those crappy moments, remember that there is a reason. Don’t let it derail you. Don’t let it steal your joy. Laugh it off!
I wish I would have never shed a tear over it. But it was a lesson, that when crappy things happen, it’s time for me to rejoice, shake it off and persevere!
Response Questions
1. What things in your life are going well?
2. Has anything bad happened recently that you had to push through?
3. What did that bad thing come against in your life? (your faith, finances, confidence, health?)
4. Did you delight in God through the trial or let it get you down?
5. How can you fight back and push through next time something bad happens or you get disappointed?
Pray with me!
Father God, thank you that when bad things happen, I have a reason to rejoice and delight in you. You help me to learn to persevere, grow stronger and bless me. Thank you that you are with me through it all. Thank you that my breakthrough is around the corner. I want to be a threat for your Kingdom. I love you and I delight in you no matter the circumstances.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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