Something that has become vividly apparent to me on this trip has been the power of Satan’s deception over God’s children. Let me give some background to this. Throughout my childhood I was never honored for being the person created in my mother’s womb. Instead, I was criticized and teased for being tender hearted, a sissy, and then given the name Hazel during my high school years. People who didn’t believe any of this about me didn’t counter any of it or confront it when it was happening. Along with this, being used by a homosexual brother only intensified the beliefs Satan wanted me to believe.

Today I see this pattern of beliefs and behaviors in most, if not all, of the people I counsel. I also see it in family members. No matter who it is, I want to confront the deception Satan has planted in them so the truth of the scripture in Psalms 139:14 that tells us we are “fearfully and wonderfully made and WE CAN KNOW THIS FULL WELL!” starts to take root replacing the lies of Satan. All I can say for me was that I read it and heard it but knowing it full well was far from my belief system until very recent years. Now that I do know it I am driven to never let someone walk away thinking it isn’t true for them. We just need to face the power of deception and confront it with the POWER of truth in God’s Word!

I know for a fact how difficult it is to face all of this, but I also know the freedom and peace God has for each of us when we do allow ourselves to face this and admit it to God, to ourselves and to someone we trust as James 5:16 tells us to do. The prayers of a righteous friend are powerful and effective we are told. We just have to do our part. I never want to stop encouraging ones in this bondage to do our part for God never wants us bound in these lies of deception.

GOD IS SO GOOD and faithful to carry out what His Word promises!