We all have days like this. Every single thing requires too much effort. My shield is dangling to the ground, my sword is dragging behind me. Too much to do, too many pulling at me for attention. And all of it overwhelming.

 

So what to do? Give in and run away? 

 

No. 

 

It's time to stop and regroup. Look the enemy squarely in the eyes and say 'NO, not today!'

 

And this, my sweet Sumites, is part of the process of dying to self. When it is all unraveling around you. When it would be so easy to just give in, give up. My flesh is screaming for relief. Eat something, pack a bag, get out of Dodge.

 

But this battle is too important. 

 

I want to see my loved ones saved, healed, delivered. Strongholds broken. The enemies teeth broken off. The captives set free. 

 

And so I choose to continue...to die to my own self interest and comfort. To pursue the Holy Spirit by denying the flesh. To die to my own wants and desires to make room for His.

 

Every time we choose to serve Him in our homes, every time we forgive, weep, and get back up to continue on while every bit of our emotions are screaming NO MORE, we are dying to ourselves. Every time we choose obedience over relieving the fleshly emotions through anger, nasty retorts, lashing out in defense...we are honoring Abba. We are denying our flesh for his sake. 

 

And so today, I choose victory over defeat. Spirit over flesh. God over myself.

 

We can do this! He promises to strengthen us when we are weak. He promises to walk beside us as we battle. He knows! He lived it all for our sake. How can we do less?

 

Love, 

 

Lu