Get Behind Me Satan! (day 19)

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We have been studying perseverance this week and wouldn't you know that in the middle of studying perseverance I have had a terrible time persevering?  In fact today especially I struggled a lot.  The day started out really well - I was on my way to church to prepare for worship and I had one crazy thought after another.  It got so bad that I rebuked the enemy right there in the car.  Amazingly the thoughts disappeared and the worship was so meaningful.  Soon after though the enemy was back with a vengeance and this time I did not pray I wallowed.  Have you ever felt like you had a victory well in hand and then everything went south?  My dear sisters I know how you feel!  The more difficult the circumstances it seems the harder it is to pray and ask for help.  But in the midst of those most difficult of times that is when God tells us to pray and ask for help.  I learned this lesson once again today.  Finally at the end of the day I surrendered all the details of the day to the One who loves me more than I can even imagine.  My friends when we choose to give over our worries and hurts to God, He is so faithful to extend the peace the passes all understanding.
So please be encouraged!  Don't give up, continue to fight your way through this and not only will you be rewarded but you will find victory on the other side!  The Lord brought a couple of passages to mind and I have them listed below in two different versions.  The passage is from Philippians 4:6-9 - drink in the words and let them heal and encourage you to continue to do this journey.  And may the Lord Bless you as you do!

The Message
"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.  Summing it all up friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.  Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized.  Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."

The Life Application Bible - NIV
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything , by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think on such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you."

Homework
Read aloud the passages above.  Drink in the words - take your time and allow the words to sink in.  In your journal write which portions speak most to you.
1.  What do you learn from God from these passages?
2.  What do you learn about yourself?
3.  In this process have you felt attacked by the enemy?  In what ways?
4.  Have you felt discouraged or wanted to give up during this journey?
5.  How do these passages help you to refocus and gain victory in those areas of struggle?
6.  Specifically how can you apply these passages to the area of weight loss and healthy living?  List a few ways.

Challenge
Continue to eat right and exercise this week.  I would encourage you to turn your attention to someone else this week.  Oftentimes the best way to be encouraged ourselves is to encourage someone else.  Invite someone to walk with you, or send a card or note in the mail.  And may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob comfort and encourage you!