Hey guys!! I hope you enjoyed yesterdays devotional!! I wanted to share some thoughts today on how the devil can use the people closest to us to make us feel less than and inadequate.

Often times I find myself unable to put into audible words how Im feeling. Its something that I struggle with and Im trying to work on but I wanted to take a minute to write down exactly how Im feeling (its easier for me to write than to talk about it with someone) and share with you that even when you think the armor and shield around you is so strong with Gods favor there will be a moment and a “crack” in that shield where the devil will slip through.

I think its important to have people around you that make you feel important and loved and are always encouraging you. Its something that helps us want to be better people and we feed off of other peoples opinions (our flesh enjoys it). Its our human nature. But today when I went through a specific experience of someone who I love so dearly telling me that a flaw that I have (anxiety/overthinking) was something they couldn’t handle it made me angry. I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle the issue. At first I thought man, why is this “flaw” Ive had my entire life constantly bringing me down, and sure enough 15 years later still causing me to feel bad about myself.

After a few minutes of thinking I began to realize the devil was using this person to make me feel inadequate. Not good enough. Hes trying through this person, who he knows opinion means everything to me, to get me to back down from my faith and Gods truth about myself.

2 Timothy 1:7 says,” For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”. This is how I know that its the devil working. When we feel self doubt and anything less than loved and chosen we must know that those feelings are coming from the devil and his schemes to get us away from God. 

God gives us a spirit of love and self worth and happiness, not anxiety and fear of another persons opinion of us. Paul says to us in Ephesians 5:6-7 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” To me this says “Let no one (especially your loved ones) come to you speaking ill things of you. Dont allow them to get into your mind and make you feel bad about yourself.” Yes you have issues but dont we all? I do know that Ephesians 5:6-7 is talking about do not partake in evil activities but honestly I think talking to someone you care about, in such a way that makes them feel bad about themselves for something they cannot control, is not helpful or encouraging. Saying you dont know how to handle someone and their flaws isn’t love and isn’t from a place of God. 

Ephesians 4:29 says “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear”. Thats a pretty straight forward verse on how we should choose our words. If what you are saying to someone is not coming from a place of God then do not say it at all. If you have stated that you love someone do not let any word come from your mouth that is not encouraging and with grace. 

I just want this post to make you think about how the devil might be using those who are most important to you, against you. He may be working through them to highlight your insecurities about yourself so that you feel less than and not good enough to be loved.

I promise if someone loves you and is right for you (to be worthy of your time) they will accept you, flaws and all. They will not run when they see the real you. They will stand beside you and use words of encouragement to build you up and provide scriptures for you to be able to help you through whatever the flaw may be. They will be your number one fan pushing you along and cheering you on to get across that mountain just like Jesus is doing. And in all honesty the only person we need is Jesus. If thats all you have in life thats all you need. His love is enough. You are enough. You are loved. xoxo -A