God is faithful and answers our prayers. I will forever be grateful for that.
{It's been a little tense in the house. The children and I have been having some difficult moments, conversations and testing of authority (as my father would call it). Raising kids is not an easy responsibility. So many times I find myself not knowing what to say or do.
I earnestly started to pray for wisdom not really knowing what that even fully meant or what to expect.
There is no formula to raising children or having a relationship with them. It's about being there and hearing them when they need you to. It's about listening to their heart between the lines. But it becomes tricky sometimes, to know how to differentiate between your child's heart and complaining. This is where hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit comes in key.
One morning after breakfast the kids started to play a game but for some reason things didn't take off as planned. They got into a disagreement that turned into a heated argument. I called one of them to the room to talk one on one, as I walked into the room I desperately said "God I do not know what to say or do right now, please help!" I sat down on the floor and faced my child, they were still crying and talking in a raised voice, I took a deep breath and started by asking if they realized what is happening to them. Why they are so upset? My child gave me their reasons, then I started to respond again but it was as if the Holy Spirit was talking through me. Even the other one came in and started listening intently.
I explained to them that the enemy comes to lie, steal, kill, destroy and leave us feeling far from God. They both got silent, with wide eyes just listening. First of all I said, you let him lie to you by turning you against each other and making you believe that everyone is against you. Then he stole from you, "what did he take?" they asked. I reminded them of how happy they were that morning and excited to play the new game together and the peace they had, as well as the kindness my oldest has shown the younger siblings and the help she provided for me while being with them. So I explained how he stole her joy, peace, patience, and even self control. She wasn't able to control her actions because he stole all that from her and wants to destroy all the good that she has shown that morning. Sometimes he comes to destroy in us, who we really are and he defeats us with that. I explained to them how he can't defeat us if we turn to God and ask him for help. With Gods help we will always overcome. I asked them if they heard Gods voice speaking in the midst of it all and they said no, I went on to tell them that when we allow the enemies thoughts in, our negative emotions take over and in that heated moment it's really hard to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit talking to us.
This really spoke to them, they both prayed with me and agreed to try our best, to live the day listening to the right voice. The lessons I learned from all this is first, God always answers, in His own way and timing. He gave me the words and wisdom that I needed to teach them this powerful truth. Second, is that the enemy is real and at work and we cannot back down or let him in; to lie to us, steal the fruit of the spirit from us, or defeat us in any way. Our Savior has overcome and has given us the same authority. Thank you Jesus! We need to accept it, believe it, live by it and give God all the praise.}
I wrote the above post a long while back and for some reason didn't get around to posting it. But the other day, I noticed myself doing the same thing. I was allowing doubt to come in and believing lies disguised as truth. Yes some things may be true but the word of God says otherwise. It is full of promises for us to live by. If we believe and speak God's truth over ourselves, our spouse, and our children or any situation that comes our way, then one day it will become reality. But if we choose to keep believing what the enemy is saying to us then time and time again we will only find ourselves in the same place or worse. This truth is so powerful. It all begins with our thoughts, it's so important what we allow in because it's ultimately who we become.
Watch your thoughts, they become words
Watch your words, they become actions
Watch your actions, they become habits
Watch your habits, they become character
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny
Romans 12:2 says "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."
So how do we change this cycle and renew our mind? By reading the word of God daily, finding promises that apply to our life and memorizing them. With that we will be equipped against all attacks of the enemy (which are usually through thoughts). Proclaim truth everyday and overcome the enemy with the word of God. Jesus showed us the example when he was tested in the wilderness, when satan would say something Jesus would respond with the scripture and that same authority was given to us. I hope this will encourage you and help you discern between all that comes your way.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things! - Galatians 5:22-23
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. -John 10:10
We are human, but we don't war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. -2 Corinthians 10:3-5
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation." -Psalm 91:14-16