A way out
February 27, 2012 | Encouragement for Today, Faith: Knowing Christ, Feelings: Intentional freedom
Suzie, I’m tempted.
Tempted to anger.
Tempted to giving up.
Tempted to find my answers elsewhere or have my needs met by someone/something else.
Is there a way out of temptation?
There is.
First, count the cost.
Put aside the feelings for a moment. What will it cost you? Maybe it’s your reputation. Your standing in the community or church. But let’s go deeper to the most important things. What will it cost your family? Your children? And when it’s all in shambles around your feet, what will it cost you in regret?
Second, be honest with yourself about the real issue.
What gaps are you trying to fill? What need are you trying to meet?
And when this temporary fix is not enough, will those needs/feelings still be unmet?
Third, be honest with God about the temptation.
He knows anyway. Don’t hold back. Tell him that you are tempted to give up. That you’re looking in the wrong places to feel beautiful or smart or to hear the words that no one has said in a long time. Tell him that you think about it and that everything that once mattered has lost priority somehow.
Be real. He knows what you need. He’s been tempted by every temptation known to man.
Rather you run to Him with open arms than to hide in isolation, only to find Him later with your shattered heart in your outstretched hands.
Last, battle the lies of the enemy (who seeks to kill, steal and destroy) with truth.
Do you need something tangible to read every day? To pull out when the enemy tempts you?
A Way Out is a Word document with powerful scriptures, and the truth to combat the lies that are whispered in temptation. It’s for you. His daughter.
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I have often thought about giving up. But God always reminds me He is near & working, even when I can’t see or don’t feel Him. Counting the cost puts things in perspective for me. Doesn’t make it any easier but it is the only choice I can make
February 27th, 2012 at 5:45 pmSuzie, my darling DannyO (my sweet name for him) and I have been married for 31 years (32 in May). I am 52 years old. I went through a season of discontentment in my late 30′s. I prayed my way through it and because of the simple fact that I prayed, I didn’t make the mistake that would have altered my life, our life. I realize looking back that my discontentment had nothing to do with my life’s circumstances but of the state of my heart.
I think this slippery slope is traveled one step at a time. With each step there is the opportunity to turn back.
I would have made the biggest mistake of my life. My hubby and I are now empty nesters and actually “like” each other! We make sure to spend a little bit of time together each day, even if it is watching The Big Bang Theory reruns, drinking a cup of tea, or reading the Yahoo headlines to each other.
I cried to the Lord and then actually listened to Him all of those years ago. I understand that it was only His grace and mercy that kept me safe from my own thoughts!
February 28th, 2012 at 12:49 pmI have been tempted every day for the last several years to give up on my marriage and walk away. Somehow, and sometimes at the last second, God always brings me back to reality and reminds me of what could be if I make the wrong choices (and I have made many wrong choices, so I haven’t always listened to Him). I think God is waiting for me to look to Him to meet my needs, not to my husband. I so desperately want to be important to my husband, but in the busy-ness of fighting for that place, I forget how important I am to Jesus and how I have put him lower on my priority list – doing the same thing to Him that I feel my husband doing to me. This post couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you!
February 28th, 2012 at 1:06 pmHi Suzie,
February 28th, 2012 at 2:33 pmMy husband left me 1.5 years ago for another woman who he still currently lives with. We have 3 children together. He has been involved in our children’s lives almost daily since he left. It has been hard to split off the emotions of a wife and yet still keep that connection going as a mother with my ex-husband for the well-being of the children. I am nearing the end of the long separation process. It has been a really hard road and yet there are a few blessings that I have found. I have found God to be the man who never leaves me and fills the needs in me to feel loved. I wish I could say I feel this loved all the time but it isn’t that easy. I am also learning how to make true friends for the first time in my life. My friends were mostly made up of sisters-in-law in my ex-husband’s large family whom it is now very difficult and uncomfortable to be friends with anymore. I have bought the book ‘When a Woman Meets Jesus’ that was mentioned in the Feb 28 devotional on the Proverbs 31 ministries website. I hope it helps me to figure out what real love is and to feel loved by Jesus. I need those reminders of how Jesus loves us really often. Thank you for your encouragement on your website and devotional. Soon I will be able to look at a new life for myself in a few weeks when my separation process is finally over.
This was very timely, as only God can do. I have been up against some hard temptations, but I am reminded that Jesus was also tempted and He understands.
February 28th, 2012 at 9:12 pmThis blog could not have come at a better time. I am facing some hard things right now. My head is screaming the truth at me and my heart gets caught up. God is constantly placing people in my path to tell me the truth in love. Your blog did that was well. Thank you so so much.
February 28th, 2012 at 10:00 pmOh how I wish I could have read this earlier this year. I have been married 30 years. I was tempted because of loneliness and not being connected with each other. I attached myself to Facebook and found someone from my past who hung onto every word. He took advantage of the opportunity I gave. My husband and I are back together now. Due to my succumbing to temptation it has caused a lot of heartache, a lot of regret and now satan leads me to doubt myself, God’s love and my salvation. I struggle everyday. I wish I had prayed instead of just going on feelings.
February 29th, 2012 at 2:51 pm