Deceived.....
Good Morning Girls! I have been asking myself and the Lord a lot lately where, when, how, and why I got "off track" in my life. I know I haven't gone into much detail about what I mean by "off track" but we will cover all that in good time. I am still sorting through what is in fact off track and what is my obsessive compulsive perfectionistic self (say thank you Jesus if you are glad you are not me!!-Lol).
I do know one thing. I know that my husband and I have been dealt one poop sandwich after another over the last 3 years. Again, I realize I have not provided much detail, but the details do not add to the story I am telling today.
The point is, we went from having the "perfect" life (by the world's standards) to having a life we never even considered possible (and not in a dream come true way).
I would say we handled it pretty well.....for the first year. But you know how it is- you start out all full of faith with high expectations and little by little you are disappointed. You start to wonder "what is going on? Where is this breakthrough I've heard so much about and believed for". You stop looking at the Lord and start looking at your self and your mess. The more disappointment you face, the more you take your eyes off Jesus and the more hope is lost. It's a vicious cycle. A cycle I believe the devil uses on us all at times.....because it so often works in his favor!!!
So there I was; disappointed, discontented, and discouraged. I began looking around. Looking around at the world around me. And guess what? It seemed like the "bad guys" were winning. The pagans were on top!
I was following all of the "rules". I was doing everything "right". Everyone else? They were doing whatever they wanted......and having fun while doing it! They weren't following any rules. They also weren't disappointed, discontented, or discouraged.
Or so it seemed.
I didn't realize it at the time (though I probably should have), but the devil only shows you part of the pagan picture......
But the part of the picture I saw sure looked better than the current snapshot of my life! So I decided "why not?". Everyone else is letting loose and living free. Everyone else appears to be having fun. Why should I sit here stressed out and anxious? Besides- it's obvious the Lord is done with me (another HUGE lie I swallowed hook, line, and sinker).
Everywhere I turned, whether it be the world or even in the body of Christ, people were living foot loose and fancy free.....apparently with no consequence.
I decided to have a little "fun" of my own......
Now listen up Girls! It is probably easy for you to read this and shake your head thinking "how could you even think this way? You know better than that!".
Yes, I do. But don't think for a second that anyone is above deception!
There were just the right ingredients stirring in my life for a big old pot of deception stew.....and I ate bowl after bowl of it!
It wasn't a conscious decision at the time. The clarity is only now coming as I seek the Lord and ask Him to put me and my life back together just the way He wants it!
As I said earlier this deception is nothing new for the children of God. You would not believe the comfort I found when reading the following Psalm. It helped me for many reasons. It helped me see that I fell for a trick that has been operating for thousands of years. It also reminded me that I belong to Jesus.....no matter what!
Girls, take a moment to really read Psalm 73. If you have been deceived, let it bring you back to the Lord. If you are doing great, chances are you know someone who is hurting and could benefit from being reminded that God loves them, cherishes them, and welcomes them with open arms no matter what!
Psalm 73 Message Translation
1-5 No doubt about it! God is good— good to good people, good to the good-hearted.
But I nearly missed it,
missed seeing his goodness.
I was looking the other way,
looking up to the people
At the top,
envying the wicked who have it made,
Who have nothing to worry about,
not a care in the whole wide world.
6-10 Pretentious with arrogance,
they wear the latest fashions in violence,
Pampered and overfed,
decked out in silk bows of silliness.
They jeer, using words to kill;
they bully their way with words.
They're full of hot air,
loudmouths disturbing the peace.
People actually listen to them—can you believe it?
Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
11-14 What's going on here? Is God out to lunch?
Nobody's tending the store.
The wicked get by with everything;
they have it made, piling up riches.
I've been stupid to play by the rules;
what has it gotten me?
A long run of bad luck, that's what—
a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.
15-20 If I'd have given in and talked like this,
I would have betrayed your dear children.
Still, when I tried to figure it out,
all I got was a splitting headache . . .
Until I entered the sanctuary of God.
Then I saw the whole picture:
The slippery road you've put them on,
with a final crash in a ditch of delusions.
In the blink of an eye, disaster!
A blind curve in the dark, and—nightmare!
We wake up and rub our eyes....Nothing.
There's nothing to them. And there never was.
21-24 When I was beleaguered and bitter,
totally consumed by envy,
I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox
in your very presence.
I'm still in your presence,
but you've taken my hand.
You wisely and tenderly lead me,
and then you bless me.
25-28 You're all I want in heaven!
You're all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
God is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they'll never be heard from again.
But I'm in the very presence of God—
oh, how refreshing it is!
I've made Lord God my home.
God, I'm telling the world what you do!
I do know one thing. I know that my husband and I have been dealt one poop sandwich after another over the last 3 years. Again, I realize I have not provided much detail, but the details do not add to the story I am telling today.
The point is, we went from having the "perfect" life (by the world's standards) to having a life we never even considered possible (and not in a dream come true way).
I would say we handled it pretty well.....for the first year. But you know how it is- you start out all full of faith with high expectations and little by little you are disappointed. You start to wonder "what is going on? Where is this breakthrough I've heard so much about and believed for". You stop looking at the Lord and start looking at your self and your mess. The more disappointment you face, the more you take your eyes off Jesus and the more hope is lost. It's a vicious cycle. A cycle I believe the devil uses on us all at times.....because it so often works in his favor!!!
So there I was; disappointed, discontented, and discouraged. I began looking around. Looking around at the world around me. And guess what? It seemed like the "bad guys" were winning. The pagans were on top!
I was following all of the "rules". I was doing everything "right". Everyone else? They were doing whatever they wanted......and having fun while doing it! They weren't following any rules. They also weren't disappointed, discontented, or discouraged.
Or so it seemed.
I didn't realize it at the time (though I probably should have), but the devil only shows you part of the pagan picture......
But the part of the picture I saw sure looked better than the current snapshot of my life! So I decided "why not?". Everyone else is letting loose and living free. Everyone else appears to be having fun. Why should I sit here stressed out and anxious? Besides- it's obvious the Lord is done with me (another HUGE lie I swallowed hook, line, and sinker).
Everywhere I turned, whether it be the world or even in the body of Christ, people were living foot loose and fancy free.....apparently with no consequence.
I decided to have a little "fun" of my own......
Now listen up Girls! It is probably easy for you to read this and shake your head thinking "how could you even think this way? You know better than that!".
Yes, I do. But don't think for a second that anyone is above deception!
There were just the right ingredients stirring in my life for a big old pot of deception stew.....and I ate bowl after bowl of it!
It wasn't a conscious decision at the time. The clarity is only now coming as I seek the Lord and ask Him to put me and my life back together just the way He wants it!
As I said earlier this deception is nothing new for the children of God. You would not believe the comfort I found when reading the following Psalm. It helped me for many reasons. It helped me see that I fell for a trick that has been operating for thousands of years. It also reminded me that I belong to Jesus.....no matter what!
Girls, take a moment to really read Psalm 73. If you have been deceived, let it bring you back to the Lord. If you are doing great, chances are you know someone who is hurting and could benefit from being reminded that God loves them, cherishes them, and welcomes them with open arms no matter what!
Psalm 73 Message Translation
1-5 No doubt about it! God is good— good to good people, good to the good-hearted.
But I nearly missed it,
missed seeing his goodness.
I was looking the other way,
looking up to the people
At the top,
envying the wicked who have it made,
Who have nothing to worry about,
not a care in the whole wide world.
6-10 Pretentious with arrogance,
they wear the latest fashions in violence,
Pampered and overfed,
decked out in silk bows of silliness.
They jeer, using words to kill;
they bully their way with words.
They're full of hot air,
loudmouths disturbing the peace.
People actually listen to them—can you believe it?
Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
11-14 What's going on here? Is God out to lunch?
Nobody's tending the store.
The wicked get by with everything;
they have it made, piling up riches.
I've been stupid to play by the rules;
what has it gotten me?
A long run of bad luck, that's what—
a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.
15-20 If I'd have given in and talked like this,
I would have betrayed your dear children.
Still, when I tried to figure it out,
all I got was a splitting headache . . .
Until I entered the sanctuary of God.
Then I saw the whole picture:
The slippery road you've put them on,
with a final crash in a ditch of delusions.
In the blink of an eye, disaster!
A blind curve in the dark, and—nightmare!
We wake up and rub our eyes....Nothing.
There's nothing to them. And there never was.
21-24 When I was beleaguered and bitter,
totally consumed by envy,
I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox
in your very presence.
I'm still in your presence,
but you've taken my hand.
You wisely and tenderly lead me,
and then you bless me.
25-28 You're all I want in heaven!
You're all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
God is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they'll never be heard from again.
But I'm in the very presence of God—
oh, how refreshing it is!
I've made Lord God my home.
God, I'm telling the world what you do!
Love, Peace, and sufficient Grace to you all-
Jen
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