Living High

We need to live high.

Maybe I should qualify that statement a bit. 

What I’m trying to say is that we need to live higher than our circumstances.  We should live above them rather than down in them.

What’s the difference?

• When we lose our job, we are faithfully expectant to see what God has in store rather than fall into the pit of despair.
• When our children make bad choices, we trust God with their journey rather than guilt them into repentance.
• When we find ourselves the victim of hurtful gossip, we chose to forgive and allow God to defend our reputation instead.

As Christ-followers, we just cannot live in the tumultuous ups and downs of life.  We can’t keep our eyes on our circumstances.  Our focus must not be on what the Enemy throws our direction.

Because when we become distracted with the chaos, we take our eyes off God.  A textbook tactic of the Evil One.  And when we find ourselves eye-to-eye with our worries:

• We become self-centered
• We become performance-based
• We become self-reliant
• We become annoying (let’s be honest here)
• We become disobedient
• We become victims
• We become ineffective
  

You know what? We were made for so much more than that.

In Matthew 5:14, we’re told that we are the light of the world.  But when we’re too busy keeping our own candle’s flame sheltered from the hurricane-force winds, it’s impossible to focus on others.

Faithfully, God always provides a way.

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us “Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.  Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.” (GWT)

Do you see the Divine equation?

Not worrying + Asking God for help + Counting your blessings = Living High

By doing this, you will effectively reduce the importance of your circumstances.  And when they are rightly deflated, you foil the Enemy’s plans to distract you… defeat you… and derail you.

• You ignore his unoriginal attempts to destroy you.
• He loses – again. (When will he learn?)
• You change your “victim” mentality to a “victory” mentality.
• A new tool is added to your toolbox.
• Others are encouraged by your steadfastness.

Sisters, let’s purpose to live higher than our circumstances.  Let’s be more impressed with God’s presence in our situations than depressed with what the Enemy does.

See you in the clouds!

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

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Game On: Battling For Your Kids

Ah friends, my heart is heavy today!

Can I just mention how hard parenting is?  It is hands-down the most difficult job I’ve ever had.  The complexity of it humbles me beyond belief.

Our kids battle the negative, performance-based messages of this world everyday.  Even if you’re a “church” family and your kids are in a loving environment, they are bombarded by intense unholiness at every turn.

It’s relentless.

The result can be discouragement.  Their tender hearts hurt and they struggle to know what to do with all those emotions.

Unfortunately, there are no quick, easy fixes.  Oh, how I wish there were!

The bottom line is that the Enemy hates our children because he knows God loves them so dearly.  And since he can’t get to God, the Devil goes for the next best thing… God’s precious children.

Game on.

Stand up and say no!  When the Enemy starts to battle for your kids, don’t you dare be complacent thinking it will all work itself out.  You’d be crazy to leave it to chance.  As moms, we need to be intentional!

• Pray for them every day (you may be the only one who does).
  
• Speak life and truth into their hearts.
• Intercede for them in prayer throughout the day.
• Be available.
• Spend time pouring to them.

When we do these things, we send a message to our children that they hold great value.  We also send a message to the Enemy that his plan will eventually fail – miserably.

Rather than spend time worrying or freaking out… instead of spiraling into ineffectiveness… We need to armor up for battle.

And did you realize we have a very dangerous weapon in our arsenal?  It’s called prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 says “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Message)

Simply stated, we need to change our worries to prayers.

And when we do that, God will settle our hearts.  He will calm us with the understanding that He’s got this battle in His view.

• We can take a deep breath knowing God is fully engaged in the situation.
• Our perspective changes from worldly fears to heavenly protection.
• We realize our strength because of Him.

Sisters, we can have hope when our kids are being targeted by the Enemy.  We have the power through Christ to stand up and battle for them through prayer.  When we ask, Divine help is available.

Father I lift up our children to you, especially those who are struggling with life.  I know you love them dearly and so I ask that you help us love them even better.  Reveal to us the causes of their pain and give us an insider’s perspective to what they need from us.  Father I pray that no weapon formed against them shall prosper and that you continue the good work you predestined for them before the creation of the world.  I thank you in advance for the victory in battle and for your faithfulness.  Amen.

Your children need you!  It’s time to get your game on.

Now mom, go get on the battlefield.

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

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