{my graphics are free goodies for you}
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!
{click to tweet that you’re joining me here today}
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