Corona Devo 1213

I took my twelve-year-old daughter and two of her buddies out for a bagel the other day.  One of the other girls is turning 13 this week, and what better way to celebrate teen-freedom than at a table to yourselves in a coffeeshop?  

The woman at the register (Danette) greeted us with a warmth that we could feel across the counter.  Her smile was genuine.  She was happily patient as three young ladies read the simple menu as if it were in Latin, and throughout our transaction, she was overly kind in word and deed.  Her treatment of us was exemplary and authentic.  She told us that she has an almost-13-year-old daughter at home too.  

As the girls went to find "their" table, I chatted with Danette.  She shared in a matter-of-fact tone that her husband had died eight years ago.  

Tears filled my eyes as my (weak) appreciation of everything that those few words-shared could mean to this woman standing across from me...and her daughter.  

"It's hard sometimes", she said, "but you can't let the demons win".  

Amen, Danette.  Amen.  

The longer I live, the more I think there is deep wisdom in Danette's comment.  We can't let the demons win.

We each have our own :"demons" that seek to steal our joy/focus/purpose away each day, but none of those things/feelings/stressors are of God. 

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.  ~I Corinthians 10:13

The demons of stress/sorrow/pain/unfairness/untruth/hopelessness/depression/limitations/frustrations/wickedness/selfishness/YOU-NAME-IT...attack us daily and on every level: spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally.  

But none of those things/feelings/stressors are of God. 

God is peace.  For God is not a God of disorder but of peace... ~I Corinthians 14:33

God is stability. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.  ~Psalm 78:35

God is hope.  That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.  ~I Timothy 4:10

And if we will meet God, and allow Him to meet us...He will never allow the demons to win over us.  

Instead, when we give our concerns to Him...He takes them, and gives us peace.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  ~Philippians 4:6-7

The hardships are actual.  The difficulties are definitely real.  The hurts don't dissolve, but God grants us peace even in the midst and aftermath of them.  We won't understand it, but if we trust the Lord, we will experience it.  

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  ~Philippians 4:7

I have to believe that Danette is aware-of and taking-part-in this mysterious process that God invites us into.  I'm not sure how someone serves others (daily) and with such compassion and kindness after surviving life circumstances that are so uncompassionate and unkind...without a "touch" from God.   

And she's not the only one.

We each have a choice daily that we have to make.  Will we let the "demons" win? 

Not today.  

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11) Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (13) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

(18) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.  ~Ephesians 6:10-13, 18

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  ~Galatians 6:9

~~~

I pray today that we can exude warmth that others feel.  I pray that our smile today would be genuine.  I pray that as we experience others (even in their delays), that we might be happily patient, and that the love of God within us would allow us to be overly kind in word and deed.  May our treatment of others be exemplary and authentic today.   

"It's hard sometimes, but you can't let the demons win".  

Amen, Danette.  Amen.  

Blessings, 

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com