Week 5 God's word is my defense

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Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

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Have you ever had a moment when you were alone, you broke down and cried because life felt overwhelming? Like a ship at sea on a stormy night, your soul was searching for a safe harbor, a place of peace away from the raging waves.

The raging waves could be the demands of life that pull you in every direction; it could be that Satan chose the wrong day to start warfare against your mind, or it could be any circumstance weighing you down.

As I'm writing this devotional, just 5 minutes ago, I broke down and cried. I shared with God how being human sucks. We experience influxes of overwhelming emotions. We feel weak, vulnerable, imperfect, and unworthy.

I had an honest moment with God and said, "God, I'm grateful for this life, but sometimes I don't want to feel human." At times, being human doesn't feel like a privilege; it feels like a constant ongoing battle to survive.

I serve a God that says, "I'm more than a conqueror, that I'm loved and chosen, and that I have the spirit of adoption as a child of God." So, what do I do when there is an incongruence between what God says about me versus what I feel and experience?

The enemy and your flesh are the two biggest bullies in the universe. They prey on your emotions and exploit your thoughts.

These bullies want you to believe you are nothing but a sinner, you aren't loved and saved by the grace of God, and you aren't good enough or strong enough. This warfare launched against you is trying to get to your belief systems.

If you think it, you might believe it. If you believe it, then the enemy's assignment has been accomplished.

You will follow what you believe. If you believe the enemy's lies, it will offset your God-given destiny.

God provided us with Proverbs 3:5-6, which acts as a fortified defense to our belief systems, and the scripture prevents lies from penetrating our hearts.

The scripture says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

These instructions teach us that we can't trust any other voice more than we trust the voice of God. Our inner voice is no exception.

Sometimes, you must be childish enough to speak to those voices and say, "La la la, I'm not listening." Speak the word of God against whatever lie those voices are saying.

If those lying voices say you're weak, quote Ephesians 6:10 as an affirmation, "I am strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." You must replace those lying voices with the word of God.

As I am encouraging you, I'm learning to lean more into the voice of God. Sometimes, we cry out to the Lord to speak to us in our discomfort, but his voice is in the written word.

So, anytime you need to hear from God or need reassurance and comfort, search for the scripture that speaks to your situation. Believe what the scriptures say about you, and use them as affirmations. Remember, the word of God is your best guide and defense.

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Pray this prayer

Father,

Thank you for your word that acts as a defense against the lies of my enemies, and thank you for not leaving me alone. In your word, you promised that when I acknowledged you, you would direct my path. I give you my weaknesses and heavy burdens and ask that you lift me up. I thank you that when I am weak, you are strong. I don't have to have it all figured out, I don't have to pretend that I have it all together, and I can always lean on you. In Jesus's name, I pray, amen.