Self Talk

Friends,

Many of you have read "the Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis. It is an interesting "fictitious" story concerning a "senior" demon of Satan sending out a "junior" demon worker in order to corrupt the minds of certain innocent people. It is a powerful use of satire that allegorizes the spiritual battle for the souls of men and women. This book would be a whole lot funnier if it was not describing something that is altogether too real. When I read this book, I laughed and winced at the same time. I share this to say that I know of several people who are truly caught in a spiritual battle. It is disturbing...and yet exciting -- and it causes me to pray. The opportunity for understanding and growth is never greater than when we are "on the anvil" being shaped into whom the Lord wants us to be. Struggle is not pleasant, but it can be good -- if we have the patience and endurance to bear with our challenges, continually yielding ourselves to the Lord.

What bothers me, is that I can hear the self-talk converation that takes place even as I visit with people. Satan just loves to convince people that they are...no good, bad people...that people do not like them or want to hear their problems...that they have no place in the church...that they would be better off just staying away from God's people because they do not want to be a burden...and that they are guilty, guilty, guilty as charged (by Satan). LIES, LIES LIES! All of them. What people need most of the time is just the opposite of the self-talk that Satan is delivering to them. They just simply have to be willing to listen to the OTHER "still small voice," the one that says...you are going to be okay...you are a good person who has certain struggles...no, you are not the only one who has problems (Satan's contention)...others will be understanding...we can work through this together...you need to be with God's people (not away from them), because we need to bear each other's burdens and grow together...yes, your struggles are difficult, but they can be overcome through the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit, because "greater is He who is in you than He who is in the world" -- we need to believe it.

We simply cannot give in to negative self-talk that Satan delivers to our brains, but must surrender, seek and strive to hear and understand God's voice and His will for our lives in all things. He can and will help us to overcome and to grow. Faith, love and innocence can and will triumph over guilt, worry, stress. Believe it! Blessings,

Don