The Thief

For years now, I have battled insecurity, doubt, fear, pride, and jealousy. I could never understand why. I always thought "Since I belong to Jesus, I shouldn't struggle with these things! I should be able to find my fulfillment in Jesus!" This just made it worse because then I felt guilty. No matter how many books I read or how many people I talked to, I could never shake those feelings. I never truly opened up enough to find healing. Recently, I talked to someone about this. God really used her in my life and revealed to me that all of these things I struggle with are lies from Satan. I had never looked at it that way before, but it's quite simple and so true. The reason I continue to struggle is because Satan has been filling my head with lies for the past several years, and I've believed those lies. I had never tried to fight him before. After my conversation with this sister in Christ, I felt as if I began a journey. A journey toward finding my confidence in Christ alone and living my life completely for Him. Being a true, sincere friend and letting go of the need to constantly compete with others to prove myself "good enough." Recognizing the lies for what they are and declaring them as such. Let me be honest: Ever since I began this journey just within the past week, the devil has really hit me hard. He knows that God is at work within me and that I truly desire to honor Him through this journey, and he is going to do everything in his power to see to it that I am defeated. But God has given me so many reminders that Satan is a liar and that I can fight him with the truth of God's Word, and those reminders keep me on track. A few days ago, I came across Revelation 12:9 which states that the devil is the "deceiver of the world" or "the one that leads the world astray." This makes it very clear that all of the insecurities, doubts, fears, and everything else we face are LIES from the enemy. He is diligently working to tear down all of those who are seeking to further the Kingdom, which means that we have to diligently stay in the Word, our Sword, and cling to the truth. John 10:10 says "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I am still working on getting this truth firmly planted into my heart. I still have ups and downs. I still have moments in which I'm overcome with insecurity and feel like I'm not good enough. In those moments, I have to pray fervently and declare out loud "That is a lie!" If you are struggling with believing Satan's lies, I encourage you to join me on this journey. Don't let The Thief (Satan) steal your joy.