Don't allow the enemy to distract you

[Maryanne Winder Lester]

Don’t allow the enemy to distract you

4/10/2010

This morning we woke up early. This is the day that my brother-in-law attends orientation classes at New Birth after joining the church Tuesday night. My husband had offered to take him, so he left home before 6:30a.m. I sat down at the computer to begin writing my daily devotion. But this morning I had writer’s block. I prayed to God to let the Holy Spirit guide me to the right words of inspiration. But, these words did not come. I got distracted. I decided to go make coffee, thinking that might help. It didn’t. Then I turned to my email to read some of the Daily Devotions I receive everyday hoping I would get inspiration. I read a few, then a few more and still the words did not come to me. I played with my cats for a few minutes and I started to get frustrated. So, I turned to Facebook and started playing my games for a few minutes until my husband got back home about 8:30 and asked me what I had written. He caught me playing my games and then I felt guilty.

I began to see a pattern: distraction, frustration and guilt. If this had gone on much longer, I would probably have turned to anger. I had allowed myself to fall right into the hand of the enemy without even realizing it. The enemy is so clever and such a liar. He works against us with those things that are the most familiar. Here I was, attempting to find the words to glorify God and he waltzed right in with his plans to steal my thoughts, kill my peace and destroy the assignment given to me by God. Well, that’s just not going to happen!

And as soon as I recognized this, I was immediately taken to Psalm 143, verses 7-8. “Answer me speedily, O Lord; my spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.” Look at how those 2 specific verses address my exact needs at the time. When I read those words, I was asking God to come into my presence NOW, because I recognized that I was faltering. I feel so much better! This was a good lesson for me.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for bringing me back into focus so that my eyes remain on You. I thank you for being such a loving and merciful God. I repent for allowing worldly thoughts and emotions to interfere with Your assignment. I take great joy in knowing that You have already forgiven me for my distractions this morning.

In the marvelous name of Your Son and my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

Maryanne Winder Lester

4/10/2010