My sweet four year old deeply loves his naps…still. As he prepares for the afternoon slumber, he can hardly contain the giggles motivated by excitement. Nothing soothes like a cuddle quilt and a window with a perfect view of the northwestern evergreens. Rain or shine…it’s a cozy place.
On this particular day, my mind swirled and tossed and drowned in thoughts. The thoughts brought my heart to a state of depression. On and on…showing no mercy…my thinking took over my soul. And before I realized it, my day had become a “Woe is me!” kind of day. Tucking in little Benjamin, untouched by his joy and excitement of nap time, my heart broke. “We’re so far away from his grandparents and cousins and aunts and uncles.” “I can’t handle another ‘on call’ day on my husband’s schedule.” “The WHOLE family is gathering for Easter…everyone except for us.”
Without a word spoken, my eyes must have screamed out the ache in which I felt. For out of the blue, completely unprompted, Benjamin raised his tiny finger to the sky, pointing upward, and simply said, “Trust in him.”
“You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.” Psalm 8:2
In a most tender and quiet moment, with three words spoken in a whisper from a child, God silenced the enemy. The truth Benjamin spoke penetrated into my soul transforming my heartbreak to strength and peace. The Holy Spirit reminded me that we “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Strategically, the enemy creeps into our thoughts without our knowledge much of the time. We must pray that God will reveal to us the areas in our thinking where we have become POW as a result of the enemy’s schemes. What thoughts are seemingly harmless or insignificant just might be stealth bombers in this spiritual warfare which surrounds us daily.
Yet, there is hope. And I leave you with God-inspired words of strength and power.
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” – Jesus Christ
