It is so much easier to deal with someone else’s problems than with my own.  When someone opens up to me I do my best to be a good listener and respond from the nudging I sense within from the Holy Spirit.  Once the setting is done, I walk away and usually leave whatever is left to do with the one who has it.  I’m writing this because when the problem is mine I can’t walk away from it.  It keeps lingering inside and attempting to damage as much as it can.

The last couple weeks have been the annual Christmas/New Year ones where everything in life shuts down so families can be together to whatever degree this happens.  I do love these times but the days following them to reconnect with life in the world haunt me.  They always have.  It is these down times when I get mentally attacked about the work/ministry I do.  Because I spend time reflecting on them, it leads me down the wrong path.  I tend to go on the path of destruction thinking things like–“This best end soon so I don’t destroy it,” or “This will never come together until the leadership is someone else.”  When I am steeped in the work I still have these fleeting thoughts but they dissipate quickly because life is moving on.  However, during these down times the thoughts take deeper root or attempt to.  I’ve been talking to God about them in my devotional times because I realize they are Satan’s tools rather than God’s.  I’m also realizing that they come in dreams when I’m asleep as well as when I’m tired from the end of a day.  Also, if I don’t verbalize them they tend to own me much more.  Writing this here uproots them so I can see them as only futile lies.

2018 is the year of growing our Recovery Ministries at our church.  There are so many people hurting silently.  Satan is destroying any hope they have that there can be light/healing for their hurts.  Today I’m meeting with one of our pastors as we begin to take steps of readiness for these ministries to materialize.  I know these are the reasons I’m having such a present struggle.  Please join me in praying for the hurting ones.  Pray  that Satan’s attempts are thwarted and God’s Light will penetrate their present darkness.  Pray for unity of spirit as we step into completing what The Holy Spirit’s prompting.  I want only to step as He opens each door.  To God be ALL GLORY!