I am mostly a hope-filled person by nature. It is hope that has gotten me through life thusfar. Being able to believe that better days are ahead has helped me trudge through some of my darkest days.
However, just because I have hope doesn’t mean I don’t succumb to all the lies in my head sometimes. I’m in that season again. Maybe it’s because it’s winter, maybe it’s because I’ve been distracted with kid activities, Christmas to-do’s, business to-do’s, financial questions and worries, house to-do’s, etc. Whatever the reason, I haven’t been arming myself with the necessary tools to combat these lies.
I start actually believing Satan’s propaganda. Maybe I’m not good enough to be doing what I’m doing. Maybe the energy and passion that was there when I started all of this is gone forever. Maybe this was all a big, dumb idea and it will never succeed. Maybe this wasn’t God’s plan but just a fool following her own path, which will end in failure.
LIES! PROPAGANDA! MALIGNANT! UNTRUE!
So how do we combat these destructive “alternative facts” that circle in our heads sometimes?
- More of God’s word!
I haven’t been reading God’s word lately. I’ve been distracted with the busyness of life. I’ve forgotten this is the best armor! It’s protection from the lies. I may know what God says about me, but I need frequent reminders from Him. I am loved! He will not abandon me! HE is the TRUTH and the LIFE. When I remember to prioritize putting more of Him in my life, it extinguishes the poisonous untruths. It lights a fire under my hopes and that produces burning embers of joy in my life. Duh. Why do I always forget? Why?!
- More prayer!
Have I been talking with God? Telling Him what I need? What’s bothering me? Sharing my hopes and dreams? Asking for help? Thanking Him for all the beautiful gifts I’ve been given? Have I been cracking my heart wide open and revealing all the broken places to Him? Ummm, no. No, I haven’t. Is it really any wonder why Satan would make a move on all those unoccupied spaces in my heart?
- More worship!
Purposeful, intentional and genuine worship. Get with it, Jode. Get your butt to church. Participate and engage! Or just start by showing up again!
- More accountability partners! (Fellowship)
Am I keeping my truth-teller friends near? You know the friends I’m talking about. They are the friends with the ability to speak truth with kindness and compassion. They are the ones who will notice that you’re slipping away from truth and succumbing to destructive lies. Are those friends near? If not, go get them! Call them! Have coffee with them! Tell them what’s going on so they can buoy you up so you don’t drown in the lies.
This confession and reminder for myself has brought me to my words for 2019. I’ve given up on resolutions, but I’m trying out the word or words for the new year thing. I’ve been contemplating which words I should focus on in 2019 for quite awhile now. You know how much I love words, so narrowing it down to one or two was challenging. I wrote them down, thought them through, prayed for the right ones and finally settled on two that felt spot-on for me.
My 2019 words are…
TRUST & HOPE.
I can’t believe lies if I’m trusting God. Discouragement and shrinking self-worth can’t complete a successful take over of my mind and heart if I’m consistently breathing in reminders of how remarkable and loveable God thinks I am.
There’s a battle being fought for our hearts. Grief and all the things after our loss (anxiety, depression, fear, hardship, sorrow, loneliness, etc.) can leave us wounded on the battlefield.
Wounded, but not out.
I’m going to grab more armor this year. I’m going to protect my heart with the belt of truth, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (His word!). We are not going down this year, ladies (and gents). We are staying in this battle and we are going to fight!
Ephesians 6:10-18 (MSG)
10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Truth…. and Hope. Get ready, 2019. We are coming for ya. We aren’t believing lies this year. We are going to live and breathe and rejoice in what is true. We are going to put on our armor and win with Truth…and Hope!
I’m also going to play this song on repeat this year. Have you heard it? And if you have, do you believe it? Please check out Lauren Daigle’s hit song, “You Say.” Listen to it. Believe it.
Do you have words for 2019? I’d love to hear what words you’ve chosen and why.
Extra grace,
Jodi
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Thanks for being patient with me. I’ve missed you. I’m still learning how to balance writing with the new Extra Grace Box business (Winter Box 2.0, which is less Christmas and more Winter is available now!), single parenting, The Widow Army on Facebook and rest. I haven’t found balance yet, but I will! I really appreciate it when you stick with me and forgive me when I fall off the Internet sometimes. I’m back now though, and I’m ready! Let’s go! Invite your friends – the more the merrier as we fight this battle together!
Thank you for your blog. It often speaks my words for me, as I lost my husband about the same time you did. You feel like a friend as we walk these steps of widowhood together. Our patha this season took a different turn. And that’s okay, too. I don’t have children in the home. I haven’t started a new business venture. I am alone at home, more so than usual following the loss of close family members and friends in 2018. And i have slowed down due to age and infirmity. But it is all good. God slowed me down completely recently and gramted me the opportunity to bo really aline again–without the distractions of caring for or being with another; and I rediscovered that I am okay being alone, so long as He is in my life. It has been a long time since I felt that. And i just want to return the favor and send you some emcouragement that you, too, are on the right path, Jodi. He knows where you are and we just have to sit in the uncomfortable places sometimes and realize that we are still okay and safely in His hands. You have been, and will be, such a blessing to us, your readers, as well as your kids, friends and family. Hang on to your words for this year and keep going forward, one foot in front of the other, your hand in His, and breath, dearheart, breath! See you on the other side someday!
Dear Jode,
I have missed you and I am so glad you are back. Will try to pray for you to be able to manage all your irons in the fire. We all fail at times but the good news if God still loves us and forgives us! Your blessings box means so much to my friend. I am so glad you do them. My 2019 words are SUFFERING and JOY. Suffering b/c I have Fibromyalgia and I like to remember Christ suffered more than I ever could! Joy b/c Joy comes in the morning and b/c of Job 23:10 But he knows the way I take, and when he has tried me I shall come forth as gold. I love that verse, it is my favorite.
I can’t wait to get to heaven and come forth as gold.
Hi Jodi,
Sometimes I think you follow me around! My David died in April 2017. He suffered so much before he died (progressively worse over a four year period). During that time I also became responsible for my mother’s wellbeing. She is declining rapidly with dementia now and I am trying to get hospice care arranged. I found out in the past year, that a person very dear to me has been betraying me over the past 4 years and it has devastated me. Satan has bombarded me with his lies and I confess to all those things – doubts, depression, despair. I, too, have chosen “trust” as my focus in my walk with the Lord this year. I want to live a life victorious in Christ, not defeated by the devil.
Thank you for your honesty and encouragement in the journey.
I will pray for you.
A teacher asked me today what my favorite song was as she was making a playlist for students. I responded with “You Say”. She thanked me and agreed that it is a great song for students to hear and live into! God bless you, Jodi, and your family as you persevere through your new circumstances knowing that God is always near as are friends and family. Thanks for sharing!
My chosen word this year is “consistency”. I want to work on evening out those hills and valleys. Or at least my way of responding to them! Your words were an arrow to the bull’s eye as this is an area we ALL struggle with. Thank you. You are in my prayers…