Finding Your Strong Tower

Today, I was physically reminded of the protection provided by buildings. It has been extremely windy in our area the past few days. The last couple were windy, but warm. When I headed out the door today, I didn't grab my coat...figuring the day would be similar to the last couple. WRONG! Today was windy, cold AND blowing rain.

I got out of my car and ran toward the door. There is a small stream area to run over on a bridge. NO protection from the blowing wind. I could feel the wind blowing roughly on my face and right through my sweat shirt. As I neared the door, the building juts out and offers some protection. Instantly warmer and dryer thanks to the roof overhead.

I thought about the verse regarding a strong tower. I was grateful for the protection provided by the walls of the building. I looked up some info on towers and was further reminded of the protection and advantages they serve.

Towers are tall which provides a good overview of an area. Towers offer protection from weather and enemies. Towers are strong and a good place of shelter during battles.

There are times in life when we feel unprotected and beat up by the battles that surround us. It is good to know that there is a tower waiting to provide protection, safety and a place of calm in the storm. The tower also offers the opportunity to look at the big picture and not just the little piece right in front of us.

Proverbs 18:10 (NIV) The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Praying that you find a strong tower in the name of the Lord. Do not be afraid to run there often....and be safe. We'll still have battles, but we will not fight alone.

EneME

Enemy: one that is antagonistic to another; especially : one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent (Merriam-Webster)

"We have met the enemy and he is us" Walt Kelly

I'm thinking lately of all the things and excuses that I have let stand in my way of getting to where I want to be....or better yet, where God wants me to be. The dictionary definition refers to being antagonistic to another. However, I am coming to the conclusion that sometimes I become overly disappointed with myself. I am my own worst enemy...hence the eneME.

Eventually (I would like to say that it is taking less and less time, but still a work in progress), I start to realize that I am not as content. My feelings start to rule, and I start to believe that it's easier to give up then continue to fight. It takes courage to face our discouragement.

I have definitely noticed though that what I focus on can be used against me. When I get too busy to take time for devotions or I listen too much to music that doesn't lift me up, I start feeling like I'm losing the battle. The enemy starts to win and gains ground. Thankfully, God loves me (and you) too much to leave us alone to fight this battle.

^{Psalm 31:8 (NIV)} You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.

The battle for our mind is ongoing.  We need to remember and keep reminding ourselves that we already have an enemy pursuing us.  Resist and stand firm.  Realize that God helps us fight ALL enemies....even the one within ourselves.  

^{1 Peter 5:7-9 (NIV) 7}Cast 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.

The Slipping of the Mask

We all wear a mask you know
it covers the feelings we don't think we should show.

We may feel sad or bad inside
or those feelings of anger we think we can hide.

But, we cover them up with the mask we wear.
Sometimes other people we're trying to spare
from the feelings of pain that don't go away.
We struggle and make it through one more day

Why does life sometimes seem so tough?
That no matter what we do it just isn't enough?

We try so hard to be what we think others want us to be
and in the process, we lose our me.

We might be an adult, but still feel like a child
inside where we hide our inside wild with our mask of mild.

The mask shows a smile when we'd rather cry.
Friends and family might try
to help us see......
it's enough "just" being me.

We hang around people with a smile on their face.
Our mask quickly slips back into place.

But what if their smile is also their mask?
We'll never know if we don't take time to ask.

When we stop being what we think people want or need us to be,
we find the mask can come off.  It's enough to be me.

Feel your pain

PAIN: localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder (as a disease or an injury); also : a basic bodily sensation induced by a noxious stimulus, received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical discomfort and typically leading to evasive action


Pain: physical, mental, emotional.  Pain can have a good result as in the birth of a baby.  That pain is sometimes quickly forgotten when we see that little one we have been waiting for.  Pain can keep us from further hurting ourselves as in feeling a hot stove and knowing we need to keep our hand away....or get burned.

"I feel your pain" Bill Clinton

Pain is unique to the person.  What brings pain to one of us might not cause someone else to even think twice about it.  While we can empathize with someone else going through a painful situation, it is impossible for us to know exactly what that person feels.  Some people refer to themselves as having a high pain tolerance.

However, it seems we have become a people eager to dull or remove our pain....or find evasive action as listed in the dictionary.  There is a pill for everything that ails you.  We can get so busy running around and keeping busy that the only way we slow down is when something starts to hurt.  Pain can serve a greater purpose by letting us know there's something wrong.  We need to feel our own individual pains before we can reach out to others and help them through their pain.

We are promised a coming day though when there will be no more pain.  Until then, may our pain never be wasted.  May we learn and grow through it and bring it to the ultimate healer.

^{Revelation 21:4 (NIV)} He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."