Shut Up, Satan!

I’ve had the same daily devotional book for the past 15 years or so. Inside there is a scripture verse for every day of the year. The book has changed spots, from my night stand to the windowsill above the kitchen sink to my dresser, throughout the years, but it has always been somewhere visible. I have been amazed by the number of times the scripture verse has been exactly what I needed to hear that given day. Also amazing is how certain verses will come to my mind right when I need them. So, it’s no surprise that when I saw this exact devotional in a store recently, I bought it without even knowing who I would give it to. I just knew someone out there had to have it!

Fast forward to January 1st. I had been praying for certain people on my prayer list that had suffered immensely during 2020 and really hoped 2021 would bring them peace and joy. As I was praying for a particular friend, I knew the devotional should go to her. So, with a smile on my face (admit it – it feels good to do something nice for someone else with absolutely no expectation of receiving anything in return), I wrapped it up and went on my way to drop it off. But the closer I got to her house, the more I was starting to doubt myself. What I originally thought was a “good idea” started to morph into a “silly idea” and I almost turned my car around. Does that ever happen to you? Do you ever come up with an idea to do something good for someone, but then, after thinking more about it, you end up talking yourself out of it? Right then, Luke 6:31 came into my head. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Okay, it didn’t come to me verbatim – I’m actually very bad at quoting scripture without a Bible in front of me – but the thought was very much the same. Actually the conversation in my head was probably more like the Living Bible’s translation, “Treat others as you want them to treat you.” My favorite translation for this situation, though, comes from the The Message Bible: “Here’s a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!” With this idea in mind I asked myself if I would appreciate getting the devotional? Yes! Would I appreciate someone dropping off something out of the blue that let me know I was thought of and prayed for? Definitely! Would it bring a smile to my face to open the front door and find a little gift? Of course! So, if I would like it, why was I allowing myself to second guess what the recipient would think? As I continued on my way to her house I reflected on how many times I do things like this. Sabotage my own good intentions. I started wondering why I do that. Why do I often not follow through with good ideas that may, in fact, be coming from the Holy Spirit within me; ideas that will illustrate love for another human being; ideas that may make God smile? I think that voice of doubt could be coming from the biggest liar of all, Satan, who is constantly trying to stop us from sharing God’s message with others, especially those who are hurting and need to hear about God’s good love, grace, and forgiveness. God’s voice in our lives must be stronger than Satan’s. In order to be prepared to shut Satan out we must arm ourselves with The Word of God and stay focused on Him. Luke 6:31 came to mind when I needed it most and I actually said out loud “Shut up Satan!” I did follow through with my plan and the message I received from my friend not only brought happy tears to my eyes but it made me realize that it was probably God’s idea the entire time. I was just the messenger. So, the next time you notice that you are talking yourself out of something you were pretty sure was a good idea a moment ago, I hope you remember Luke 6:31 and ask yourself “Is this something I would want someone to do for me?” If the answer is yes, go for it. You may just be acting on the behalf of God.

Love, Melissa

For next week’s post, the scripture will be from Lamentations 3, verses 19- 22. “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.” I’m going to be focusing on the second half, because that is the message of hope, but it’s important to remember that in order to have and appreciate hope, we sometimes must experience hopelessness.