Deflating Balloons
How’s your journey going? Have you had any bumps in the road? Had any bridges to cross, or “One Way” street signs posted on you? How about any detours? Yes? Congratulations! You’re going in the right direction! Believe me, I’m not laughing at you…I’m laughing with you…even if you aren’t laughing yet. Seriously though, it’s not funny when the enemy throws his darts at us, is it! But throw them he does, and any time we can continue with our journey and get past what the enemy throws our way, I stand an applaud you. I’m so proud of you, and I rejoice with you in continuing your journey regardless of what is placed before you!
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” ~James 1:2-4
Trials along the journey are normal. Of course we’re going to have them, it’s a given. But here’s some good news; if we are prepared, the trials won’t seem so bad. In fact, they will seem so ridiculous that we laugh them off. And let me tell you, the funniest thing to me is when someone tries to trip you up and you don’t trip, but instead laugh it off. It confuses them so bad that they don’t know what to do next! Oh yes, I have experienced that firsthand. When we don’t take offense to those who try to insult us in front of others, drag us into a tete-a-tete, or even resist when they try to get us to gossip about someone not present, immediately they become confused and you can literally see all the hot air blubber out of their balloon. You just took all the fun out of their game. Instead, you got to have fun and enjoy yourself along with everyone else while your would-be oppressor sits and tries to figure out what just happened. That’s God…and I love that!
I’m thinking of a particular incident in my last paragraph. Let me just say that starting out being nice to me, then shooting a barb my way didn’t work. I laughed it off. I never asked, “What do you mean by that?” nor did I fall quiet, as I used to do, which would elevate my angst and cause me to not have any fun. This time, I’m the one who had fun and my oppressor sat quietly for a while. Thank You, Jesus!
Listen, I’m not saying to be mean to those who try to oppress you. No way! I wasn’t mean to anyone. What I AM saying is to be nice to them! Love on them! Let them know that you have been delivered from your oppression and that it is NOT okay for them to try to treat you that way anymore.
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” ~Proverbs 25:21-22
I used to jokingly say that I liked that “heap burning coals on his head” part. But you know what? That is really sad. It’s sad that it takes such a drastic measure to get through to someone who wants nothing but to attack you spiritually, mentally, emotionally, in public, whatever. How do we heap burning coals on someone’s head? By being nice to them! By loving them! I have literally seen someone get mad because I’m being nice and having a good time. I have been called petty because I live by what the Bible says. Hey, I’m following Jesus. Come along and go with me. You’ll be happier, too! Sadly though, many people won’t. They literally enjoy being where they are and think that you are crazy for what you are doing and where you are at.
Let me encourage you today; You can and will go farther in healing your mind, emotions, and spirit when you trust the Lord for everything within you. I can’t say it enough, and you’ll just have to go along with me here, but it’s the truth; When I was laying in the floor, washed in the Holy Spirit, I lay in the floor because what was happening to me I couldn’t stand up for. It was such an overwhelming cleansing, a “surgery” of sorts, but I was lifted, delivered, and healed of those many years of people saying negative things to me to keep me down. You can have it, too! Trust me! Just pray and ask for it! Believe it. Receive it. Then bask in His glory, because you have begun your journey to forgiveness!
