I was reading "Having a Mary Spirit" by Joanna Weaver (awesome book!) and in the chapter on "Mind Control" she was provided an illustration from another author. In the quote, this author used an analogy for when we are under attack from the enemy with persistant, sinful thoughts of somebody treading water and being surrounded by a dozen corks which the swimmer feels compelled to push down repeatedly in attempt to submerge them once and for all. Of course this exercise is futile because they will always pop back up. Instead, the author suggests, "he should ignore the stupid corks and head for the safety of shore," the shore being God.
When I read that, at first I laughed and then immediately cried, because this is so often what I do - focus on the corks instead of the safe harbor.
Then another image came to mind, which I'd share, because it may help when you feel under the enemy's attack. I got the impression (at first it was of playing a baseball game, but that didn't seem to fit) of being in a dodgeball court with all these balls being chucked at me from all directions. I can try to fend them off in my own strength and risk being battered by them, or I can imagine that I have a Teammate who can deflect them for me - and to better effect.
So right now, I'm holding this picture in my head of Jesus standing right there beside, behind and in front of me, taking care of the endless dodgeballs when I choose to rest in His presence. While this may sound too passive and a "cop out", I'm thinking it is the harder thing to do - to consciously choose to let Jesus take control of the situation, of my life, and just stand there and agree that He would defeat the enemy in the way of His choosing.
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."
John 15:7 NASB
No comments:
Post a Comment