lions.

Oh them lions they can eat my body,
But they won't swallow my soul, no no no.
They keep on trying to crash my party,
but they can't get control, no no.

Last night I curled up on your couch and told all of you that I'm not strong enough for this.
And I was right. I'm not strong enough.

But my God is strong. And without His strength I'm absolutely nothing.
I'm not supposed to be strong enough for this. I was not created to be strong enough for this.

"Only I am strong."

I will stand on YOUR truth and
FIGHT with YOUR STRENGTH.

How sweet it is that I don't have to fight this battle (or any battle) alone.
How sweet it is to be loved by the Creator of the universe and to have Him on my side.
No one ever said it would be easy. No one ever said that I wouldn't be attacked.
But what an awesome opportunity this is to learn and learn to lean on Him and His strength.
And He is strong. And faithful.
And I am His.

¹To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings
and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
²Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—
not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;
not greedy for money, but eager to serve; ³not lording it over those entrusted to you,
but being examples to the flock. ⁴And when the Chief Shepherd appears,
you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
⁵Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you,
clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,
because, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
⁸Be self-controlled and alert.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.
⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith,
because you know that your brothers throughout
the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself
restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
¹¹To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

- 1 Peter 5

So, hard? Yes.
But I know who I am and Whose I am, and nothing can change that.
My enemies can bring it, because I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.

Every week you work up the strength to fight the flames that are hurled.
Let your faith shine right through,
You know it's the world versus Jesus and you.

Also, I must say to my wonderful friends that I was with last night-
thank you for being YOU and loving me and encouraging me.
and letting me ball up on your couch and cry.
Every day I discover once again how blessed I am to know you. :)

Life?
Let's do this trash.