Extreme Joy

Extreme Joy

Friday, July 16, 2010

Bookends

"And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart." (Ecc. 4:12 NASB).

image courtesy of photobucket.com

We have a tendency to think we have to face life all by ourselves. Peter tells us our adversary, the devil, "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (I Peter. 5:8). If we are trying to face life alone -- without help, encouragement, or someone to talk to -- then we are setting ourselves up for the enemy to devour us. He is on the prowl looking for prey and this makes us an easy target.

He is a subtle enemy. One of the ways he works is by using the power of suggestion -- planting a negative thought in our mind or a lie -- and then he just lets us run with it. Another way he works is by taking our joy away. Also, he loves to plan the ever popular event called the pity-party. He will provide the cake, balloons and the confetti if we let him and he will even remove all clocks in sight so we will stay for a long time in our misery. Yes, he is waiting.

But, if we surround ourselves with others who will encourage us, friends who can and will shed the light of truth on the lies we have believed, and pray for us, the enemy won't be able to hold us in his grasp.

In this new season of ministry God is calling my family and me, I have allowed myself to roam around alone for a little while and the enemy has quickly come upon me with lies, suggestions, and has been able to take my joy away. I hadn't accepted the invitation to the pity-party yet, but I was getting close to the door. Not realizing at the time, I reached out to two dear friends who I know support me and love me and they have become my bookends.  Both of them in their own way helped me to see what God has been doing in my life, the blessings He has so richly given me, and the future He has for me. They have helped me see and embrace truths not lies from the enemy. Yes, my bookends, one on each side of me, the combination of the three making "a cord of three strands."

Today I put the enemy on notice by saying "I am NOT alone and you CANNOT overpower me, for two can resist you, but a cord of three strands IS NOT quickly torn apart . . . I now have my bookends!!!"

Are you walking this journey called life alone? Are the voices and the lies of the enemy taking away your joy? Well . . . go get your bookends! These will be your sturdy friends who will hold you up as you add chapter after chapter to your book of life. You don't want to live without them!

5 comments:

  1. Beautiful post! I never thought of that Scripture in the context of bookends, but it is so true and so applicable! Thank you for sharing your insight and wisdom.

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  2. Well said, my friend. Signed: A Bookend.
    Praying, sweet friend!
    Vonda

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  3. I so enjoyed this visual of bookends. A terrific way to remember we are made to stand stronger together than apart.

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  4. Thanks Edie, Vonda, and Jeanette. Now that I have this visual also, it helps me seek out my bookends and thank God for them. I don't want to walk alone in life, in my ministry, or in my writing.

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  5. Well put, Beth. Appreciate your kind and gentle spirit.

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