Spiritual Blinders

Do you ever wonder why we act out in our lives at things that seem to hurt us? We feel mistreated?

If something bad happens to us? Why do so many of us feel that someone is out to get us? Then if more than one thing at a time happens - then there must be more than one out to get us, right?  Have you ever said, "You know I've got so much crap happening to me and my family right now satan must be involved?  

Why do we declare such a thing?  Why do we say that?  God says that the has no control over us unless we should allow it.  The book of Job really explains this best. 

Read: Jobs character is in V. 1-5 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+1%3A1-5&version=NASB

Job was blameless before God. It wasn't that Job didn't sin. But he tried to do what was right in Gods eyes. He also wanted this for his children. 

Then came satans attack.  In Job 1:12 God ALLOWED satan to attack Jobs family. 

So God allowed Satan to test Job (v. 12). The book of Job helps us understand that all bad things which happen come from Satan. He is the one who had bound the woman with a spirit of infirmity (Lk. 13:11-16). He is the one whose messenger was the thorn in the flesh that was given to Paul (2 Cor. 12:7). While God allows these kinds of tests, as He did in the case of Job, He is not the cause of them because He never tempts anyone to do evil (Jas. 1:13). And even then, as with Job, He always limits what Satan can do. “No temptation has overtaken you such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13)

In verses 13-19 we see Jobs testing from satan. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+1%3A13-19&version=NASB

Job lost the number one source in that part of the world for the food and clothing that he and his family needed.

Job lost the means by which he could transport his excess out to sell elsewhere and to bring in whatever he could not provide by himself.

Job lost his family (vs. 18-19). It is quite clear that Job loved his children. He obviously considered them as the Psalmist spoke. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (Ps. 127:3-5) 

Now back in 2004 my family was tested by satan. It was in no way the same way that Job was tested. But I will tell you it was close. It was enough to knock our spiritual socks off. At the time we just wanted to be content and were trying to live our lives for God. We were living heavily into scripture. We were pastoring a church we already had one beautiful daughter and would soon have another. 

You can read about this journey here. http://abigailesstory.blogspot.com

Psalm 27:8New American Standard Bible (NASB)

When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,

“Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.”

We were all in the word of God. We prayed together as husband and wife. We prayed with our children. Even though we were going through this trial . We were together and it was good. 

During this time I can say that many emotions were attacked. Many. We felt we had God. God is good. 

This had to be one of the worst things that I have ever gone through in my life. I have a lot of testimonies. But this one. My family hurt. My child hurt. I never once got angry with God. I turned to God to help me. Even though I didn't understand why. 

My heart feels like its ripping out as I even think about it right now. But we were living with God at the head of our household. We were in prayer. We prayed every promise from God over our child even right there in the trauma room of the emergency room while the Dr.s said she may not make it. 

We pressed forward.  And then when our emotions and our hurt got moved again. We pressed forward. 

In the world today there is a saying.  "Keep moving" and when you try that "Keep moving" and if that doesn't work. "Keep moving". 

We took where we found in God.  " Keep praying" and when your thinking that isn't working "Keep praying". Each time this would happen some small breakthrough would happen and we would rejoice. 

I think if you read the blog. You can read the pain that we were going through. This life has been very busy so blogging has not been my strong point. My point is no matter what it seems like. What it looks like. What people say to you or what they don't say- keep praying.

The Dr.s gave our daughter very little hope of survival. My heart was so broken. But we are a family of fighters and we " kept praying". We had strength when we didn't have strength. I believe God carried us all so many times. I literally lost years of my life that I don't remember. 

I don't know what happened. This is called trauma. This is a test of satan. 

Our response and Jobs response. Our hearts were heavy.  Job 14:1

Job had no idea why all this happened to him. Neither did we. 

Jobs suffering which he handled probably many ways better than we did.  Or at least myself. If it doesn't make you bitter it will make you better. We have to learn how to handle this so that we don't plant seeds of bitterness even unintentional. 

If you aren't careful many can sift seeds of bitterness in this time of trauma. We can even plant our own bitterness seeds in trauma.  

We needed to pray and put on our spiritual blinders.  This is so we could stay focused on our road ahead. 

Blinders are used on horses so that the horse can stay focused and not have something to startle his side vision.

Spiritual blinders would be blinders that block out what might frighten us to shy away living for Christ while keeping us focused on our destination - completing a life filled with purity and faith living it for the Lord. 

Today my prayer is :  Lord please put our spiritual blinders on us. We don't need to see the trouble ahead. We know that you God are in control. 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

My writing before this was out of hurt and trauma that satan has inflicted on my life. My situation is changing and I give God the glory. 

in good faith,

Paris