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A friend of mine and I talked about hard times in our lives. We traded battle stories over salads, forks in our hands like weapons. We pondered how when things get tough in our lives the enemy seems to look for chances to do even more damage—to divide, bring discouragement, whisper lies.
Have you ever experienced this too?
In other words, the enemy of our heart is an opportunist. “He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Pt. 5:8). We need to know this so we can be on guard, so we can fight for our own hearts and each other rather than against.
As my friend and I talked more we realized something else too, something that felt ancient and yet new. God is also an opportunist. “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them” (Rom. 8:28).
When things get tough in our lives, God looks for a chance to do even more good to and for us—to unite, bring hope, whisper truth. We need to know this so we can look for what He wants to offer our hearts, the treasures hidden in the darkness, the unexpected spoils of war.
As many of you know, my Mom recently had heart surgery. As I paced the halls of a hospital for three weeks it sometimes seemed I could feel the breath of the enemy on my neck, ready to devour. But, even more, I could sense the presence of Jesus, the Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5) walking with me, roaring for our family, giving us what we needed most in that hard place.
We are humans on a broken, spinning earth. We are warriors disguised in tennis shoes and yoga pants. We bleed and cry and drink bitter cups of hospital coffee. We are small and yet part of a bigger, wilder story than we can even imagine, one that’s been unfolding since the beginning of time.
Today the enemy of our hearts is working in our lives.
Today the God of all eternity is working in our lives.
I don’t think I have to tell you which one is going to win, which one has already won. That’s why we’ll celebrate Easter this weekend. Amen?
XOXO
Holley Gerth
P.S. This post is inspired by my devotional What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days. If you need truths you can hold onto, this devotional is for you, friend.
P.P.S. Right now through midnight on March 31st, the ebook version of my newest book is on sale for $1.99! If you haven’t read Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely yet — or if you’d like to gift the ebook to a friend via Amazon — now would be a great time.
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Right now, we’re doing a special link-up series to celebrate Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely. You’re a fiercehearted woman so I’m asking you to pour out a little love and courage with your words every Wednesday {the link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post, especially if it’s about living fully and loving bravely, and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
When you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends!
I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth!
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Connie Rowland says
March 28, 2018 at 10:20 amHi Holley, I’m so glad the Lion of Judah was walking with you during your mother’s hospital stay. To feel His presence in a difficult time is what we need most. God bless you!
Anita Ojeda says
March 28, 2018 at 10:21 amI love the concept that Jesus is opportunistic–that word gets a bad rap, but when the opportunities lead to eternal life, than it’s all good!
SUSAN SHIPE says
March 28, 2018 at 10:42 ami was privileged to pray for your mom. Blessings. HE IS RISEN!
Maree Dee says
March 28, 2018 at 11:16 amAmen to knowing who wins.
Thelma says
March 28, 2018 at 11:39 amThanks Holley for this. But, sometimes it becomes too painful when the enemy kind of wins each day, week, month, year and years? Anyway, He lives! and his grace sufficient.
Mary Geisen says
March 28, 2018 at 12:27 pmThe enemy wants to have the final word but God has secured the victory through his son. Such a perfect message as we head to Easter. Easter blessings to you and your family.
Jeanne Takenaka says
March 28, 2018 at 12:55 pmHolley, I so appreciate the reminder that the God who created us is also an opportunist. That, when He allows us to walk through trials, He is also working in our lives, and He will bring good, even through the hard.
Have a beautiful Easter!
Susan G. says
March 28, 2018 at 1:41 pmYes, we are part of a much bigger story, but we have to keep remembering that! Also when we keep our hearts and minds fixed on Jesus we have less time to think about the enemy of our souls. God is always bigger, God is always more powerful, and God always WINS (for us)! I’m so thankful for His Word that builds us up, encourages us and gives us Truth, and renews our mind!
Bless you Holley for your encouraging words! Praying your mama is getting stronger every day!
AMELE says
March 29, 2018 at 4:39 amGOD BLESS YOU TOO! YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN OF GOD!
AMELE says
March 29, 2018 at 4:36 amGOD BLESS YOU, HOLLEY! AND GOD COMPLETELY RESTORE YOUR MOM!
IN JESUS’NAME, AMEN.
Nancy Ruegg says
March 29, 2018 at 4:34 pmI’ll be looking for the treasures hidden in the darkness and the unexpected spoils of war as we begin a battle against cancer in our family. Thank you for this inspiration, Holley!
Beth Williams says
April 8, 2018 at 7:25 amNancy,
Praying for you all. May God heal you quickly. I pray for His peace & comfort to surround you mind, body & soul. God will never leave you nor forsake you even in the chemo or radiation room. He is always with you.
(((((Hugs)))))
Beth Williams says
April 8, 2018 at 7:32 amHolley,
The enemy always comes right after a “High” or in the midst of trials. His whispers are you can’t fight this battle. Just give up. You’re not good enough, smart enough, etc. We must discern that those thoughts are from him. At that point I rebuke the evil one & tell him he is not welcome in my home. You will not wreck this marriage & we can’t win the battle, but God & us can! The Israelites had a similar situation. They saw miracle after miracle in the desert. When it came to spying out Canaan-they forgot all about those miracles. They brought back huge fruit & saw the goodness of the land promised them. Yet they said we can’t win against them. They are to big. That was true. God & the Israelites could have done it. They chose to forget about God. Only Caleb & Joshua were thinking God was on their side. The devil won that battle.