Be Strong in the Lord

     Life is hard. Everyone says it, and it's true. Especially when you're a teenager, you're trying to figure things out. Figure out what you're supposed to do, how you're supposed to act. And then you make mistakes and you hurt people you love on accident. People judge you for the mistakes you made, like you made them on purpose. As if you set out to do this thing and have it be a mistake. They judge you for hurting people, and you judge them for hurting people. You lay in bed at night trying so hard to say it's okay, that this isn't the end, that it will work out.  Life is bigger than this mistake or problem, but how are we supposed to know how big life is when we've only live 16 years of it in the same town? To our short lives and inexperience, hurting a friend by saying something wrong feels really big. Getting your heart broken because you were slightly more naive last year and believed you could prove the world wrong and love at 15. Saying the wrong thing to the wrong people feels like you just ruined your life. Getting a C on a chemistry test feels like your whole desire in life went down the drain because you don't understand significant figures and because of that won't do good enough in  nursing school. Something always makes you feel terrible about yourself, about life. Whatever it is, sometimes it is crippling and painful, somethimes it is dull and achey. But the happiness and serenity you have will only always last momentarily, then the pain and aching comes back. That is life.

 

     Then there is the side where your insides, your heart and soul are constantly in contradiction. You want to be brave and courageous, take a step out there, not worrying about getting stepped on because broken bones heal, and so do hearts. You want to be adventurous and travel the world, experience what it's like to live outside of your box and say you've been to this many foreign countries. But you know the pain of getting stepped on and how much it hurts, you know that being adventurous means leaving people you love behind, and you know how safe and sure your box really is and that there is a reason you are in it. You tell yourself, I'm going to be happy and nothing is going to let me down today, and then for whatever reason, today you aren't happy. Even if you told yourself you are. You tell yourself, today I am going to be persistent and courageous, and then you get out of the shower without any motivation to get dressed and filled with the fear of living. You tell yourself, I am going to love, and then all of the hurt comes back and tells you, you can't love, you're damaged goods. Your heart is constantly fighting inside of you. Satan is always bringing back all the pain and sadness while God is giving you courage, hope, and joy, and yourself is just standing there crying and writhing because you're being stabbed over and over again in your previous scars while the Doctor is stitching them back up. You're trying to pick up all the right pieces to your puzzle, the ones God is giving you, but every time you bend over to pick one up, Satan is taking them and replacing them with his. Ones that look like they fit, but once your try to place them it doesn't work.  

This doesn't just apply to teens trying to figure out life, I've learned. It applies to adults, children, men, women, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters. Because, guess what? Everyone is figuring out life, and no one ever will. Sure, maybe bits and pieces here and there, but as a whole? We will never be able to figure that out. 

'God is at war with Satan, not us. We're just stuck in the middle.' - Dr. Tony Evans (paraphrased) 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

Ephesians 6:10-18