I am typing this as I wrote it on my phone this morning because I woke up struggling. This week, God asked me to speak about feeling weak in areas of my life, but although the Lord was telling me to use the word, I didn’t see how it was possible. The enemy doesn’t want us to have a sense of control over our flesh and eating habits but also our minds. As I was getting ready to start my day, the Lord reminded me that his commandments are not burdensome” 1 John 5:3.

Hebrews 4:15
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

The mind and the flesh work together, but the mind can be free from destructive patterns by watching how we speak over ourselves using God’s word. James 3:3-6 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

A Pastor once told me that the enemy knows us better than we know ourselves. He has been studying us since we were born, building a file; at the front of it, it is our weakness. Why? Because he knows human nature and that when hard seasons hit, one might turn to a coping mechanism, which might not be so positive. One of the habits that I began just a little before Joshua’s passing was working out, but I took it more seriously when he died as I found that it was a great stress reliever. But, occasionally, depending on what is happening, I slack off, and it’s always the Lord’s gentle reminder that what’s Good isn’t always easy that gets me back at it again.

This past week, I cut my reps short while getting back into the groove of things. And just like a loving father, I would hear God say push yourself, and my natural flesh responded quickly with I can’t. It’s those simple words that I spoke that the enemy thrives on. Why? The enemy doesn’t fight fair and always looks for an opportunity to go along with a lie, as he is the father of all lies. God spoke to me while there and this morning and said stop saying you can’t and start using my word.

We are human with a loving father who wouldn’t let us be in a situation without providing a way out. Grief is not easy, nor is learning new ways when most of us have adopted specific coping skills to get us through our rocky days. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

My word of encouragement this week is that whatever has come to throw you off, speak to it, commanding it to go in the name of Jesus. We all might have unhealthy habits to which we turn, but the only one who is safe is Jesus. Don’t doubt the next time you hear God say, “Try me,” because his way never fails.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. This week’s song is Koryn Hawthorne’s “Look at God.”

The Carpenters Mother, xoxo