Know The Difference- Part II

Bible Reading: Job 1:6-12

On yesterday, we talked about opposition from the enemy vs opposition from God. And let me just tell you, I have been experiencing some opposition these past few days with my BWT Guest List.

I must confess, ever since I started writing, I have encountered feelings of being overwhelmed from time to time. A number of thoughts have gone through my head, questioning if I should continue. “Should I really be doing devotionals daily? Did I get it right when I thought I heard God confirm it? What if people get bored with the devotionals because it starts to sound repetitious?” These and many other thoughts, I have entertained a time or two. And then to make matters worse, my emailing host wants to act up when I am already dealing with mental opposition.

Let me be clear, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is what I’m supposed to be doing. God gave me the desire, Psalm 37:4. He confirmed it multiple times, Genesis 18:10. And he is leading me through the process and never fails to give me a word to speak to His people, Matthew 10:20.

One of the enemies greatest tricks is to get you to question what God spoke to you. If he can successfully convince you to question God, then that means you will question every word you have ever believed God spoke to you. That’s exactly what he did to Eve in Genesis 3:1. I confidently know, a lot of the opposition that I am facing right now also has a lot to do with a “yes” I gave to God regarding another ministry in my life. But we will talk about that tomorrow.

If the enemy can’t succeed with stopping you from moving forward in the midst of opposition, he will try his best to distract you with a lot of meaningless concerns, busy work and fears. His strategy is to keep you engaged in things you aren’t supposed to be doing so you are distracted long enough from what you are supposed to be doing.

Another byproduct of opposition from the enemy was mentioned yesterday, confusion. You will begin to experience confusion all around you. And even worst, you will start to think you have to entertain that confusion.

These last few mornings, I have been getting up earlier so that I could spend a little bit more time with God, and get to work earlier. But the confusion caused by the emails not going out caused me to feel pressure to fix the problem right then. All these thoughts started going through my head. “People aren’t going to want to read the devotionals anymore. They are going to think you are incompetent.” Due to anxious feelings, originating from trying to solve the problem right then, I wasn’t able to spend quality time with God, and I was late for work. Can you believe he tried to use the very thing that he is angry about me doing, to distract me from what really mattered, building my relationship with Christ? Confusion!

Yesterday morning was different thought. I was not going to take the bait. I started to draft another apology email, but then I remembered yesterday’s email informing my subscribers what to do if we ever encountered this problem again. And then I get a text message from a reader,  also recognizing the opposition and encouraging me to continue.

Opposition from the enemy, often times causes distraction, confusion, and anxiety, all things that God is not. God is a God of order and peace, 1 Corinthians 14:33.

Think back on times where you have experienced opposition. Was it accompanied by distraction, confusion and anxiety or order and peace?

Prayer: Lord, Thank You for continuing to open my eyes to see the truth about opposition. Often times I have found myself getting discouraged by different oppositions I have faced. Father, I ask You to forgive me. Allow me to adopt the spirit of Job when I am encountering opposition. When it’s all said and done, I want You to be pleased with my posture while experiencing the things You allow me to experience. It is in the might name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!