Originally published Monday, 13 November 2017.
It was a warm, humid night. As I inhaled in the tropical air, I glanced around at the other women at this outdoor company event. Many of them were looking my way and whispering. I shifted my weight left and right, wondering, "Why"?
I was the only woman in a dress. They were all wearing pants.
Was this the reason?
Not sure, I went through the night with legs bare and eyes trying not to pay attention to the women looking me up and down. I enjoyed the night anyway, and when all was said and done, I went home.
When I woke the next morning, I discovered why they couldn't stop staring and whispering. They knew what tomorrow would bring. They were aware of how I exposed myself. They knew I'd made a horrible mistake...
Running up and down my legs were nearly a hundred welted mosquito bites. I was eaten alive. I was itching like crazy. I had no idea I was so vulnerable. But I was. I unknowingly exposed myself to the bites.
Often, we do the exact same thing in our daily lives. We unknowingly and somewhat ignorantly forget our God and leave our heart bare. The enemy sees his opportunity, sinks his teeth in and rips off a bite. He leaves us with welts of pain. He leaves us itching with bitterness, resentment or anger. The pain is real.
Are you suffering through it? Perhaps he's sucked the blood out of your life. I know it’s happened to me. I can't tell you how many times I've believed I was doing God's thing, only to walk right into the enemy's den.
I bring this up not to make you afraid, but to make you aware. Don't put on a dress when you should be wearing the armor of God: shoes of the gospel of peace, the sword of the Spirit, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the belt of truth, the sword of the Spirit.
Even Jesus, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Lords, was attacked by the pest at times. If he was, don't you think you will?
As Jesus told the disciples of his death and resurrection, Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to You." But (Jesus) turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things" (Matthew 16:22-23).
When you are doing mighty stuff for God, expect nasty stuff to show up from the enemy. He'll try to hold back the good things God is doing. He'll try to bite you in the exact spot that'll hurt you the most. He'll try to restrict the wonderful things God is pushing ahead. Don't allow it.
Stand strong.
Stand armored.
Stand aware of what words are being spoken over you.
Listen, in your mind, to what you are believing. Then, line it up with God's heart to see if it rings true. If it doesn't, send it away. Far away and have nothing to do with it.
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