The continual fight to maintain our emotions happens daily. There are often times where we have prayed for a good day, yet the adversary of peace will open up the door to confusion. Sometimes unknowingly we walk right into a trap of calamity because the person at the door had a familiar face. It saddens my heart to know that in such times we are yet entrapping our fellow brothers and sisters. Two cannot sit side by side because of jealousy and envy; there is no love in the house of prayer because the privileged class members of the church with the big checks get to sabotage members of the body falsely in the name of the Lord. When are we going to wake up? When are we going to realize that what goes around shall most definitely come back around? With the day to day battles that life has to offer why is it that we cannot find refuge and love in those around us? Why is it that we cannot have an authentic relationship without pretending to be someone that we are not?

I vowed some years back, to stop being what others wanted me to be and yet asking God to bless the mirage of what should be me. It grieves my heart often to the point of tears as I hear countless stories of failed relationships and friendships that have chipped away at the peace and sanity of its participants. As a child, not understanding the plight of my journey, I often sank in feelings of rejection and disappointment because I did not understand why I was not in the in-crowd. My view of the familiar faces around me turned to anger and frustration because of the slander and criticism of those whom called themselves my friend. My mother would always correct me and remind me that it is not what others said or did to me, but it was my response that mattered. Outside of her daily reminder to always pray about everything, she would tell me ‘daughter keep a smile on your face and kill them with kindness’. Most days this was a challenge, and I spent many lunch hours alone and crying because my naïve mind would not let me comprehend the maliciousness of those around me.

Now as an adult, I know prayer to be my weapon and I use it daily and lend it to those I meet who even in their later years are facing what I dealt with as a child. Truly we are more than conquerors and we have already been deemed victorious, but remember why you are being tested. When the enemy comes in like a flood, don’t respond to the person, yet speak to the motivating spirit that launched the attack. Know that our Father promised to lift up a standard, and whatever is right that is what he said He would pay. I often encourage people that I encounter to link Psalm 35 and Psalm 91 together when facing character attacks, I am a living witness that it works. I understand that every test is for my testimony, and I refuse to let my test be in vain. I am ready to go higher, and if I consistently get tripped up by the same drama and confusion I am prolonging my own promotion. I encourage you to get to the place where you truly digest the fact that no fiery trial is strange, it is a part of this journey, so don’t let the undercurrent of drama bring you in to drown, speak back with your life given authority and command the winds and the waves to line up with the will of God for your life. For we shall reign with Him!

Dear Father, thank you for being my Lord, my shepherd, and my shield. I ask you today to grow me in wisdom that I not fall prey to the devices of the adversary in whatever form he may appear. I commit my ways unto you for direction and protection as I live out your will for my life. I pray that the meditations of my heart please you daily and if I falter in any way I ask your Holy Spirit to help me that I may not let you down or myself down. Lord I release every person that has offended me and hurt me, deliver me and them and remove the sting of the pain that there be no residue to hinder my effectiveness.  This I ask in your son Jesus Name, Amen.