When the enemy comes in, it really shouldn't be a Surprise... A Five Minute Friday

Y'all! This last week has been busy... not just 'full' - but busy! Man... mostly good things but still! If you recall, last week the Lord told me that I am a resting place... that I am a carrier of His Presence and a releaser of His Kingdom... but I glanced at my calendar and could only muster up a deep, exasperated sigh! Next week... next week I will rest!  

I missed out on the party last night but it was so worth it... because we got to do some pre-marital counseling with a young couple and ministering side by side, sowing into marriages and families - yeah... that is our jam!

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: SURPRISE

{GO}

I mentioned above that this week, y'all... I mean - come on? I did it to myself but I need a nap... or a chick flick... or -well, really - I need some down time with the Lord -just me and Him! That is what I really need!

Then again... that is how I am wired - to need quiet... to be quiet! And I know this about myself, but oh how I forget! I let myself get busy and over scheduled and I know that I can do it... but I'm not always clear halfway through if I am called to do it, ya know?

Here's the deal... this past week has been hard.  Heavy in ways I anticipated and in ways that I did not.  Add that heaviness to a bossy calendar and your normal run of the mill spiritual warfare and, well... like I said... A nap, man!

But this is what I know:

The enemy may be 'crafty', but he is not creative!  When he comes in with an attack, we really shouldn't be surprised, right? I mean - by now, we should see him coming... and yet...

I missed the twitter party last night because my Honey and I had the honor of meeting with an engaged couple and going over some pre-marital counseling.  We shared keys to a healthy marriage and that is so in our wheelhouse! We love to speak life and love into marriages and families and so wouldn't you know it - the enemy blindsided me last weekend and we - who honestly rarely ever fight, had all kinds of tension and stress surface and try to push us apart!

We worked through it and talked over things and we are good... stronger even, and better for it - because that is how good our God is and that is how much the devil does NOT get to win - or even gain ground. 

But my point is this:  Of course he attacked our marriage... we were preparing to talk about how to have an amazing marriage, so just of course, right? 

See? 

Crafty... but not creative!

Of course he attacks your life in ways and areas where the Lord is preparing to use you and bless you and call you deeper. 

The enemy is a liar and he is tricky... but he is not sly!

We should be on to him!

As we walk closer to God and lean in to be more in tune with Him, we learn to recognize the areas that are open doors or weaknesses where the enemy thinks he can just walk right on in and make himself at home.

Our job is to close the doors when we can, to invite the Lord in to be our strength where we are weak, and to not be so surprised when we discover that, yet again, there is an enemy at work in the corner of our heart and he's trying to look like he belongs... like he's all cozy and comfy and settled in. 

We have the authority to kick him out and lock the door!

{STOP}

I don't know about you guys but there only really seem to be a handful of ways that the enemy swoops in with me. Usually I see him coming and am able to cut him off before he sneaks on in but sometimes it's only in the midst of the battle that I realize who I am fighting!

He's so obvious! 

Let's not let him surprise us anymore!
Let's be on to him and not fall for his tricks! 

He doesn't fight fair... but the good news is that no matter how he fights or what he says, he loses. We win. 

{True story.}

Linking up with Kate Motaung and the #fmfparty Community today.  Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click HERE to read what others have to say about: "SURPRISE"

The FMF lowdown: The gathering happens on Twitter on Thursday nights & then we write our hearts out & hit publish all over the interwebs on Thursday & Friday (& sometimes on Tuesdays!) It's where we encourage & uplift... where we share prayer requests & praise reports... where we talk food & friends & we find support & kindred hearts. It's where we are reminded that life is good & God is good & we're not alone... & then we all write for five minutes flat, a flash mob of wordsmiths letting our hearts & our fingers do the talking tapping & we hit publish before we can second guess it all away. We'd love to have you join us!

P.S.  I'm linking up with these lovely writers:

Kelly Chripczuk  for #SmallWonders 

Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday

Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp

Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory