Daily Devotional

When the Battle Feels Heavy

There are those days when you are just worn out. I have had several days where I just haven’t slept well. I know spiritual battles rage around us, but sometimes they are just more intense. I feel that. When it feels the enemy has his fingers in everything you are doing and you wonder why you are even bothering to work so hard…BUT GOD!

The enemy doesn’t want you to keep pressing forward. He doesn’t want you to stand up to the junk of this world and get it out of your life. He needs you to quit, give up, or compromise to keep the peace. When you are needing peace, connection, and calm…he will bring chaos, frustrations, confusion, and noise—lots of noise.

Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

The Lord wants our hearts and minds calmed and soothed by Him, not the things of this world. Our thoughts can be like minefields if not surrendered to the Lord. If you put on the wrong song, TV show, use drugs or alcohol…anything that encourages your negative thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors, BOOM!!! You just birthed a child of compromise. That destructive brainchild will now fight for its right to live in your head, taking up space, and distracting your mind even more. You didn’t soothe the beast within you, you just fed it. It’s all about our choices…what we think, say, do, listen to, and view matters to our Heavenly Father.

He knows that what you thought was calming and quieting your mind was actually just making space for more of the same destruction. We all have issues, weaknesses, and struggles – we all battle sin —to try and list them all could go on for eternity—but each of us have destructive issues that we battle with. Who and what we invite in to help us with those battles is what makes all the difference. That brainchild of compromise, if you are allowing it a place in your life, will work to distract you from the conviction that comes from the Holy Spirit. Don’t allow that voice, which is the still small voice of God, to be silenced in your life. It may seem easier to ignore conviction, but the child of compromise you birthed is what will grow and consume you.

Cross Reference: Philippians 4:6–7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation… present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Cross Reference: John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled…”

Whom Will You Choose?

Who will you make room for? Who will you open yourself up to in order to gain a moment’s peace? Who is king of your heart—the Lord Jesus, or the devil? That may seem harsh, but you can’t serve two masters. You choose one. And no choice IS a choice. Since our enemy is fully aware of this, we should be as well. Aware, awake, and intentional in our choices.

When we choose to numb and dumb ourselves down, who are we inviting in? Oh my goodness, how I wish we were more aware of how unbelievably important it is to intentionally choose the Lord. When we are overwhelmed, tired, frustrated, or bombarded by our thoughts, the Lord is patiently waiting to help. He is more than willing to give us His peace—a peace that isn’t like the world’s. It’s a peace that surpasses all understanding.

But we, far too often, prostitute ourselves out to the world’s way of unplugging and numbing the sting of our hurts and pain. YOU are so loved, so adored, and so valuable to a Father who gave His own Son to redeem and save you.

Bowing Down for Relief

When we are pressured and stressed out—who do we bow down to in order to “feel” relief? Do you give in and compromise, or do you surrender it all to the One who can give you everything you really need? Don’t settle for the counterfeit offerings of this broken world. It will turn on you and eat you alive, it will betray and accuse you. The Lord will give you love, joy, peace, rest, wisdom, discernment, mercy, and grace. Choose to allow his goodness to consume you.

Cross Reference: Matthew 10:28 – “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who can destroy both body and soul”

Reflect: Where have you been tempted to compromise for temporary peace? What needs surrendering today?

Blessings to YOU,

Cassandra Lee

There’s JOY in the journey – nourishing body & soul…

I have written two published Devotionals. You can see them on our website. Alternatively, they can be ordered on Amazon.

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In These Jars of Clay 30-Day Devotional Journey: https://a.co/d/d1mM5HW

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