It’s nights like this when we’re still transitioning to Daddy’s second-shift job, so this mama is taking care of all the homework, all the practices, all the kid needs and pet needs and food needs.
All. The. Things.
And of course, Daddy forgot to put the soccer equipment back where it goes, and he didn’t tell us where the middle boy’s practice is actually taking place, and he hasn’t answered his phone yet. Nevertheless, the mama and the kiddos make it to soccer practice on time, and after practice is over, they make it home safely.
Just as they pull in the driveway, she dares to think for one second that maybe this won’t be so bad - that the Lord is helping her through - that she can do it! She can handle this second-shift switch. She has the Lord with her and in her, and with His help, she is able!
Then it comes, the attack.
The kids disobey repeatedly one right after the other, requiring discipline and delaying bedtime, the dog eats food from someone’s plate, and then, the straw that breaks the mama’s back, the dog poops. Inside the house.
And this mama, she’s sorely tempted to throw a little temper tantrum; a few tears do leak down her face as she wavers between right and wrong. But instead of giving up, she cries, “Mercy! Have mercy on me Lord.” Because in a matter of seconds, she’s been reminded of how great her need is, how quickly she is prone to sin.
He’s there.
She knows He is there.
She believes He is there.
She has faith that He is there.
I can’t, Lord. I just can’t, she silently pleads.
I know, daughter. That’s exactly the point. You can’t, but I can. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world! The Father whispers back.
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NASB)
Have you noticed that just as soon as all seems well, and you believe you’ve won the victory, that’s the moment, the moment when the enemy strikes.
And we rarely see it coming when we’re on those mountaintops, do we? That’s what makes the blow so hard, the sudden severity of it all, from calm to chaos with little to no warning. It feels like the blast from a spiritual landmine that was inadvertently stepped on.
The key to surviving that blast, to weathering the storm well, is to remember that we are not alone.
We are not alone in being tempted.
We are not alone in our struggles.
We are not the only ones suffering on this Earth.
It’s hard to throw yourself a pity party when you remember the suffering of others, isn’t it? Or when we remember the suffering of Christ?
I share this with you because maybe you’re there tonight, too, friend. Maybe you’re wondering how to survive the latest blast.
Maybe your proverbial back has been broken, but you are fighting like mad not to let your spirit be broken, too. Maybe it’s more than just one bad night for you. Maybe you’ve had all you can take, and you just want to rage against the heavens. Maybe you’re just plain weary of life in general, and you’ve resigned yourself to a hopeless, joyless existence.
If so, I want you to know that He’s only a prayer away, and that He won’t leave us alone to face all the hard things. Just as Paul wrote to the church at Corinth,
“we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NASB)
Did you catch that, friend? We carry the dying of Jesus so that we may also display the life of Jesus, the victory of Jesus! The tough times hurt - oh, yes they do - but they bring with them life!
We must keep in mind that the pain bears a purpose that will one day be revealed to us, even if that unveiling happens on the other side of glory. And that in the meantime, He’s working those tough things together for our good, drawing us near to Him, refining our faith, creating new life in us.
Like a child’s growing pains, the work in progress is painful but life-giving.
That spiritual landmine is not the end of you, friend! You may be weary of survival mode or even recovery mode, but the key to real victory is not arriving on the other side. The key to real victory is just to keep fighting the good fight, no matter how difficult.
Your God is with you, and He wants desperately to carry you through!
Will you cry out to Jesus tonight?
Jen 🙂
Oh gosh this strikes home… Just the other day I caught myself beating myself up because I had “failed” at something I felt I should have been mature enough to handle. It was an eye opener because I realised that we are never ‘mature’ enough, we are never there and to think that we can be is only a painful lie. What sweet release to know that I can keep on relying on God, I’m His baby and He’s my Papa, just knowing that puts it into perspective for me.
Thanks so much for sharing ❤
Florence recently posted…Do you Believe that you can Heal?
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Rebekah Reply:
August 16th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
These are encouraging words for me today - thank you! I love the idea of God as our Father. So often it’s easy to just think of Him as God - “way up there somewhere” but to remember that He is our Father - what a blessing. Thank you!
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Yup…you hit the nail on the head. I am definitely leading a joyless, hopeless existence. I have cried out to God for mercy…i have cried out for help but i find no relief. I dont want to wait until the “other side of glory” to be free from the pain. I dont want to wait to see the answer to the “why” this is happening. I know that in this life there will be trials but when is enough enough? I am waving my white flag…i give up!!! I want to see beauty from the ashes but all i see is disappointment. I know Gods word & all His promises but i have yet to see them come to pass. Its hard to keep pressing forward when you see no progress being made.
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Rebekah Reply:
August 16th, 2016 at 12:17 pm
It’s most difficult for me when I focus on the big picture. When I can look at smaller things - or even just one thing - it becomes more manageable. God woke you up today, so He has a purpose for your life. We don’t necessarily know or understand it, but He does have a purpose. When I feel stuck in understanding all that, I go back to one simple thing: Gratitude.
What can I thank God for today? What is a blessing I have today that I am thankful for? Shelter, food, trees in the yard, rain. Things like that. Sometimes I need to write them down, just to remember them and get them to stick in my heart.
Trust God in the darkness - He is there. Cling tightly to Him. Psalm 91. Blessings, friend!
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“To think that we can be is only a painful lie..” These are wise words, Florence! I was just talking about this with my sister yesterday - how we convince ourselves that we should be less human and more perfect, or how Satan uses such lies to keep us guilty and discouraged rather than claiming victory. I’m always glad to hear from readers that I’m not the only one in that boat from time to time. 🙂
Jen
Jen recently posted…How to Survive a Spiritual Landmine
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Oh, CJ, my heart just hurts for you now because I have been hanging out in that exact same spot lately. Waving the white flag - seeing only disappointment - enough is enough - those are my same words to the Lord lately. I think some of the pain comes from feeling like we shouldn’t struggle like we do, or that we should handle it better, have more joy, etc. But if you look at the Psalms, you see that David, a man after God’s own heart, frequently complained, questioned, bemoaned his situation, and so forth. Don’t let the enemy discourage you. Don’t listen to his whispers that it’ll never get better or that you’re just not spiritual enough. Keep clinging to God’s promises. Keep crying out to the Lord and being honest with Him about your pain. He’s a big God - He can handle it. Even though you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel right now, have faith that it IS there. I’m praying for you, CJ, that the Father will give you peace, comfort, and strength to withstand this trial. In the meantime, know that you are not alone in feeling this way!
Jen
Jen recently posted…How to Survive a Spiritual Landmine
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Every time I find myself saying I can’t, I hear that little small voice saying but God can. You think I’d learn by now, but I still do it and He still puts up with me. God is good.
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Rebekah Reply:
August 16th, 2016 at 12:14 pm
YES! But God….Yes! With just our physical eyes, so much seems impossible. But with God, we will always have the strength for what He calls us to do. Thank you!
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I am struggling In my marriage. I dont feel its just spiritual I feel its demonic. I truly with all my heart believevGodvis in control and I truly give my life to God. My marriage was built on a foundation of God as center only to find out after marriage my husband isnt as involved with God as i am. I believe he is angry and not only battling spiritual forces but demonic. Its hard for me i truly believe divorce isnt an option that God is the only way but i feel myself sliding back into my anger smoking again not feeling so close as i was to God from a week ago. I feel my husband and whatever he is dealing with is getting me into the darkness that i so desperately do not want to go back into. Now that our church knows a little of whats going on he is keeping me from attending saying i am to follow him as my husband. I am afraid for him its getting better but worse. I pray for him my family and can use prayer please. He has left the house today saying it is over and what he does in the past when left before is getting harder for me to forgive. I was suppose to be the strong one because i believe God has me i can handle everything with God. Im getting to that point where i want to give up but will not help my husband at all if i leave it will get worse and he will be alone facing it. Its a struggle but im holding on.
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Rebekah Reply:
August 16th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
I know exactly what you mean. I am praying for you, for your family, for victory. I am praying that your husband has come home, but more than that, that God will stay with him wherever he goes.
Countless people have crossed my path in this journey - many of whom were discouraging, but a few who were surprisingly encouraging. I believe God placed them right in my path when I needed them most, and I’m praying that for you and your husband as well.
Please know - sometimes God opens the door for us to leave, and that decision is really only between you and God. Trust God as you wait for His answer. He will provide.
I’m praying for you!
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It’s not easy to survive a spiritual landmine. But with the grace of God, everything is possible.
Kevin Watkins recently posted…Motivate Me Review
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Rebekah Reply:
August 16th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
So true - only by God’s grace! Thank you!
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Yes, He is good, and oh-so-patient with us. It’s all about that work-in-progress He is doing in and through us.
Jen 🙂
Jen recently posted…How to Survive a Spiritual Landmine
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Sweet Sarah, I wish I could reach through the screen and give you a big hug right now! You may very well be right - this is likely a huge spiritual battle. And it’s not just your husband who is at stake, but it’s also you and those around you! The enemy will do everything he can to keep God’s people from experiencing His fullness and to keep those enslaved by darkness from seeing the Light.
I think I can speak for Becky when I say that she and I both know where you’re coming from. We’ve lived through years of dark times in our marriages. And since we’ve lived it, I believe we’ve earned the right to say, “Hold fast, sister!” You may not see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it truly is there. Don’t let the enemy convince you that you “just can’t” anymore - it’s a lie. God is the God of the impossible, and I encourage you to ask Him for protection for you and your family in the name of Jesus.
You may have no control over your husband’s choices, but you do have control over your own. Decide here and now that you will not allow this darkness to drag you into that pit. Decide here and now that no matter the cost, no matter the pain, you will put on your spiritual armor and fight for victory in Christ because you know, you trust, that He is with you!
Here are a few scriptures to take a look at: 1 Peter 3:1, Phil. 1:6, Ps. 34:17-18, 2 Cor. 12:9-10. Can I tell you that I love to see how you obviously love your spouse? You don’t want to leave him alone to fight this - that’s real agape love - exactly the kind of love Christ calls us to. Don’t give up now, friend!
Jen
Jen recently posted…How to Survive a Spiritual Landmine
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Yes, all things are possible, Kevin!
Jen 🙂
Jen recently posted…How to Survive a Spiritual Landmine
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Jen,
Thank you so much for sharing! This encouraged me greatly and reminded me that Mommy Meltdowns really are a choice. The best new is that God gives me the way and an the option to cling to his strength when the hard times come!
I appreciate you sharing your heart, friend!
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I’m just now seeing this, Sarah Ann, but I’m so glad it was an encouragement to you!
Jen 🙂
Jen recently posted…When You Just Want to Be Left Alone
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