“He just doesn’t love me anymore!” Sue cried out, when we were alone in the breakroom. “He doesn’t listen to me when he gets home from work. He gives me a kiss, but then he sits in his recliner and reads the paper until dinner.” Sue crossed her arms in disgust. “Janet, I feel like an afterthought to his day, rather than the main event.”
“Wow,” Janet responded, “That’s a pretty serious conclusion. “What else makes you think that?”
Sue cocked her head for a moment. “Well, he never makes the bed in the morning. I find his socks laying all over the bedroom. Half the time he forgets to put the seat down on the toilet. It drives me nuts! I feel like the roommate of a high-school jock. I’m not his mother, I’m his wife! Is this the way I want to spend the next forty years of my life?”
“Woah there, Girl.” Janet made a “T’ with her hands. “Time out, for just a hot minute.” Janet looked for permission to continue in Sue’s eyes. Then she continued, “Don’t I see Jimbo mowing y’all’s lawn every Saturday morning?” Sue slowly nodded. “And who puts your trash out to the curb every Wednesday?”
“Jimbo does.” Sue responded quietly.
“And how about the oil changes and brake jobs on the cars? And didn’t I see him painting y’all’s house last fall?” Again, Sue slowly nodded her agreement. “And you don’t call that love, Girl?” Janet reached for Sue’s hands, taking them in hers. More softly she added, “I know you came in here hurting, and all, Sis. but can I give you some sane advice?”
Sue cracked a sheepish smile. “Do I have a choice?”
“Not as long as I love you like I do! First off, when David gets home from work, he needs about 30 minutes of ‘Dave Time’ to shift out of his work day and back into our family life. If I give him that, he’s a lot more open to having those ‘Here’s how my day went…’ conversations afterwards. I’ll bet most men feel the same way.” Sue nodded with a shrug. “Second, we all need about ten times more encouragement than we can handle discouragement. I’ll bet you’re the same way. I suspect you might each be running a bit shy on those percentages. What are you willing to do to bring those numbers up in Jimbo’s life? What you sow is what you reap, right?”
“Yeah, that is an area we both need to work on…”
“I also know your Jimbo goes to work at around 5:30 am each morning. That means you’re not even out of bed yet… Is he supposed to make that bed with you still in it? That also means he’s probably careful not to turn on the lights, and may miss an occasional sock or two in the process.” Sue dropped her head in admission. “And when’s the last time you put the seat up after using his bathroom, Sis?”
“Ouch,” Sue winced at the thought. “I never even thought about that…”
“My last piece of advice is: Limit your time on social media.” Sue’s face looked puzzledly at Janet. “I used to spend a lot more time on facelook and quitter. I’d read all about other people’s best life – the one where they leave out all the warts and dirt and stuff. Pretty soon I was comparing my poor David to these unrealistic, trumped up lives everybody always posts, and he wasn’t looking so hot. But then I’d talk to those friends offline and find out their marriage is really a wreck, or their kids are on drugs, or their mortgage is 60 days past due. After that, my Dave looked like the keeper he’s always been. The truth is there, if we’ll only take the time to look for it.”
“Man, Janet, I never looked at things like that, before. Thanks for listening, but thanks even more for not letting me stay in that mess I was in. You’ve just given me a new appreciation for the husband I’ve got. He’s a real keeper, too!”
There is a war going on in the spiritual realm. It is for the hearts and souls of every person who has ever lived on this planet. On one side is The Truth, The Way, and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. On the other side is the deceiver, the ruler of darkness, the god of this age, the enemy of God whose native language is deceptions, accusations, and lies. Among the lies the enemy would have us believe are:
The Lie There is no God, no enemy of God, no eternal destiny, either heaven or hell.
The Truth The design itself shows there is clearly a designer (God). The evil in our world points reveals an enemy of God. Every heart yearns for, deeply hungers for, and in the end cries out for, eternity.
The Lie God is not good.
The Truth This is often assumed by either comparing God to an imperfect, fallible father of our own, or because He has not answered our prayers, our way, in our timing. God however, is always good.
The Lie God is not fair.
The Truth God gives unlimited grace (unmerited favor) to anyone who calls upon His name. We cannot afford for God to be ‘fair.’ If I get what I deserve for judgement, I’m a cooked goose!
The Lie God’s plan is a heavy burden.
The Truth Our plans are flawed and often lead to great deception and bondage. We cannot see tomorrow, nor into next year. God can and He makes provision for it. His yoke is easy and His burdens are light.
The Lie God is angry with us and can’t wait to punish us when we get out of line.
The Truth God is ever loving and merciful towards us. His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light onto our path. He simply wants us to avoid the heartache and pain which comes from actions contrary to His plan and purpose. (Abundant Life)
The Lie God wants to take all the fun out of life.
The Truth God’s commands are to help us avoid landmines and snares designed to trip up our lives, destroy our relationships, and distance us from His great love.
The Lie My identity is in what I do, not who I am.
The Truth I am created in the image and likeness of the Most-High God. I am not the choices I have made, the sin I have committed, nor the habits I have succumbed to. He is my LORD, and I am His greatly beloved child.
The Lie God’s Word is flawed, obscure and outdated.
The Truth God’s Word is secure. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. It is as alive today as the day it was recorded. Not one speck of it will change until all is accomplished.
The Lie God has no plan for me.
The Truth “For I know the plans I have for you…” says the LORD. They are not your plans, but His. He will see them all come to pass for you.
The Lie God does not – indeed He cannot love me. My sins are far too great for Him to forgive.
The Truth They called Him the ‘Friend of sinners.’ His will is that none would perish, but all would turn towards Him and find life to the full. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall never die, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son to judge the world, but that the world, through Him, might be saved.”
This is an active war. There are no non-participants. Only those stuck in the deception think they are immune. Many of those unwittingly recruited into the enemy’s forces have no idea of lies the have believed or the bondage they are caught up in.
We are told that our enemy is not flesh and blood, but evil principalities and dark spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. We are cautioned to be aware of the schemes of the enemy. We are not to fight against other people, nor fight in the same way the world fights. Our weapons are not carnal or physical, but spiritual in nature.
We are to love unconditionally. Reach out to, and embrace, those who think they are our enemies. We are to be ambassadors of reconciliation, always seeking to unify, rather than divide. We are willing to be misunderstood, maligned, persecuted and even killed, rather than raise a hand against them. Greater love has no man than that he lay down his life for another. We hold on tight to that which is truth, but we do so graciously, tenderly, gently persuading in mercy and lovingkindness.
We pray for them, visit them, feed them, give them a cool drink, looking and longing for those who will turn toward God and join our family. They will know us by our love for them. And by so doing, some will be saved! For such were some of you before Christ brought you to turn to Him and receive and believe in Him as Savior and LORD.
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flipyourfaith.com 
I enjoyed reading this positing today. Thanks for sharing. We need to know the truth of God’s word. So, we do not believe the lies of the enemy.
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Desirayl,
Thanks for dropping in, Sis! Appreciate your kind words. Keep sharing through your writing! You are touching many women with your words of encouragement and affirmation. You rock, Girl!
~ Lee
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