How the Devil Tries to Steal Your Joy
By: Tiffany Langford
As I looked into my baby girl’s big, sparkling, blue eyes God showed me something.
I don’t want life to pass me by and remember that I was more focused on what was wrong in my life instead of what was right.
This year has not been the perfect start for my family. Life has been hectic, as I am sure it is for many of you. Work is demanding, school is demanding, ministry is demanding, and housework is demanding. Life in general is just demanding.
Every new day brings new opportunities, but also new hurts, new scars, new experiences, new laughter, new joy, new heartbreak, new love, the list goes on and on.
Something I am so, so bad for is focusing on my circumstances and not looking at the big picture. From relational problems to financial problems, my focus has been so set in the moment.
But my baby girl’s eyes. They reminded me of something.
Life is so short. We are constantly so concerned with what is wrong in our lives. We are concerned with our daily affairs, what we need to get done, and sometimes we even focus on the random scenarios we make up in our heads.
We think about the person who cut us off in the turning lane, we stress about what that family member or co-worker said, we wish we had a nicer home, a better car, we wish we could lose weight, we wish our lives were more exciting. But all the while we are focusing on everything that is wrong in our lives, the beauty of life is passing us by.
You see, the devil uses this tactic to distract us from the life we are supposed to live. Something that I realized is that all of this craziness that has been thrown my way in the last few weeks is just a tactic the devil is using to get me down and keep me from enjoying my life, my relationship with God, and my family.
My baby girl is already six months old. I am so thankful to God after a terrifying delivery and Nicu stay that she is home and healthy. I am thankful my husband has a good job and works to make sure we have everything we need. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to go to school and pursue something that I love. I am thankful God gave me a wonderful, loving husband and a beautiful, sweet daughter. I have been blessed with many wonderful family members and friends.
So why am I so focused on what isn’t right in my life?
God wants us to be full of joy, our cups literally running over and that is scripture. I have pondered this the last few days and the understanding that I have reached is that we can be happy and full of peace, regardless of what the enemy throws our way. Yes we will have heartbreak and set backs and yes, it is okay to have a bad day, but just remember it is not a bad life.
You are a called, chosen child of the King.
He works ALL things together for YOUR good.
He will give you the desires of your heart. So today, just take a deep breathe, and smile. Start your day out in prayer and kiss your loved ones.
Keep your nose out of your phone! Focus on what is in front of you so that life doesn’t just pass you by while you scroll on social media. God is good, and He loves you. He wants to fill you with His wisdom and wants you to dwell in His perfect, eternal peace.
Today, I will choose joy. I choose to lay my worries down at the feet of the cross and to embrace this life God has given me. By no means is it perfect, but I am going to love on my husband, play with my baby girl, and spend some time with God. I will choose to make my life about His will, and not be so caught up in MY vision of a perfect life.
He is leading the way, so I have nothing to fear. I am trusting God today that no matter where we go in life, no matter what comes our way, no matter what problems we face, and no matter what troubles lie ahead, God is good and He has blessed me. He has given me a good life, and and He has given you a good life too. Always strive to be all you can be in God, and let him direct your path. But just take a breather today, remember the world isn’t falling apart in your hands, trust God and just enjoy the day.
I love you all. 🙂
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~Tiffany Langford~
(This devotional is going to bless your life! Click below to grab your copy of Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Godly Wife today!)