6.4.12 Shaking off the Devil

Good morning. Its early. Im sitting here with a cup of coffee and puffy eyes. No, it is not an aftermath of what you are thinking. It is the aftermath of fighting my demons. Whew. They have been working hard on me lately. A very good friend of mine always talks about shaking the devil off. I laugh when she says it but I think he has his claws in me. Feel like a bull in a rodeo trying to get him off. It may be that you have never had this feeling and if so, good for you. (and I mean that). But surely I am not the only one… It started with little things. Losing my patience a little quicker than normal. Then it eased into wanting to be alone. I mean, really alone, like “leave me alone” kind of alone. Then for the grand finale, when I was with people, people that I like or love, weird thoughts were in my head - of jealousy or anger - not normal thoughts for me. I wanted to snap at them and sadly, I may have said  something once or twice that I wish I could take back. (Ok, so right now, everyone that I have been around lately is wondering what I was thinking about them. Wish I could say it wasn’t you. Wish I could. Devil does not discriminate.) I could feel these little tendrils of darkness inside me. I wondered if it was depression. ?? I wondered if I was turning into someone that I know and love who is, well, a tad bit antisocial. ?? And then I got to thinking about Linda’s devil on her back. Sounded right. Cause I feel like something has taken over me. This is not me!!! This is not who I want to be!!! Am I making excuses? The logical part of my brain wants to say that I am justifying, that I am putting blame somewhere else than where it belongs. But I prayed long and hard about it. I got out my Bible (before there was Google and long after wikipedia is gone, just saying) God led me to share my struggles with you. Not an easy one to share. So for anyone who has struggled, your worries/problems may not mirror mine but you feel the weight of the devil pressing on your shoulders, God is with you. He sees your struggles. He has not left your side. Continue to fight, dear friend. Wake up each morning and shake that devil off. If he has a tight hold on you, keep praying, keep reading and keep shaking. He will be lodged loose. God has given me the promise that the hold has loosened on me. How do I know this? When we talked, I was quiet and listened. He did not speak directly to me. A loud voice, or even a soft voice, was not to be heard. But a feeling of grace and mercy, a feeling of peace swept through my body head to toe. What an awesome promise from an awesome God!

Prayer for the week –          

But I pray to you, O Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me of the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

                        Psalm 69:13-17

Bible Verse for the week –  

“The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking…. to devour.”        1 Peter 5:8-9

Bible Fun for the week –  (This is just a few references to the devil. He is mentioned A LOT)

1. According to Jude’s epistle, who disputed with Satan over the body of Moses?

2. What animal does 1 Peter compare Satan to?

3. What, according to the New Testament, is the final place for Satan?

4. What is Satan the father of?
5. According to John’s Gospel, Satan was from the very beginning both a liar and a?

6. What Gospel uses the name Beelzebub?

7. What disciple did Satan enter into?

Answers: archangel Michael, a roaring lion, a lake of fire and brimstone, lies, murderer, Matthew, Judas