It was one of THOSE weeks. You know the type I am talking about, we all have them from time to time. The kind of week that when someone asks the innocent question “how are you  doing?” a sarcastic and somewhat hysterical laugh bubbles up to perhaps accompany an unconscious eye roll.

Shifts in perspective are always a hard fought battle for me I suppose. It’s not that I am intentionally stiff necked but I tend to toddle along blissfully unaware of an area of thought or perception in need of an overhaul until something slaps me in the forehead.

What if some of what we think is an “enemy attack” is really the Master Planner’s strategic placement of you – His valuable asset – for a kingdom win? What if we stopped the nasty little lie in our head the instant it attempts to creep in with that toxic and tired condemnation that sounds like “you deserved that because you failed in…” (insert whatever pity party you’ve recently held for yourself). What if FIRST – before we react and send a volley of petitioning prayer – we put emotion on hold and asked Him what He is saying about the circumstance?

Picture your favorite inspiring leader, it could be anyone real or fictional. They come in all shapes and demeanors from gruff to the knight in shining armor. Part of what makes them a favorite is that they are right there in the thick of whatever crisis is going on in the story. They may have the “here let me help you, I’m by your side no matter what” approach and we all melt. Or they may be a motivator and have us rallying behind the hero/heroine because we know they are right when they push ,“HEY! Get up off the floor YOU CAN DO THIS AND YOU WILL SUCCEED!”.

If when you ask Him about your situation and your thoughts or what you hear doesn’t sound like either of those options, not in those exact words perhaps, then you need to tell those thoughts to take a hike. He is your Leader, your Papa, your best friend, your greatest cheerleader and the lover of all that you have been, are and ever will be.

Over the past two weeks I’ve learned a few valuable things; rarely is a situation what I originally think it is – I need to wait instead of reacting and ask what He’s up to – which inspiring Leader is He right now? How can I trust Him more? What role am I supposed to play in this part of my epic story?

Finally, no matter how much I have professed over my life to have missed my calling as a hermit, people who never condemn but call out your best qualities – even when you are having a snot and tear filled pity party in my case – are a truly invaluable treasure.

For me and maybe you too, it’s hard to ask for help. Not always because I’m afraid they’ll look down on me for my mental, theological or physical struggle but for me it’s hard to ask because I figure they have their own or worse problems. “I shouldn’t bother them, I should just suck it up”. It’s funny because that’s exactly what our arch enemy wants, to isolate and us make us think we are the only one’s who have faced whatever the situation large or small.

One of my battles was blowing up two blenders while trying to bake a cake for someone else. Certainly that is not “end of the world” stuff but none the less I had a melt down. My bigger battle was a potentially dangerous situation where I was obviously protected by our Hero while destruction was literally all around. However, the more I talked (sometimes complained) with trusted family and friends the more evident it became that He very tangibly displayed Psalm 91 for me in that larger battle. I became extremely thankful for the many ways He provided and began to see victories in the midst of challenges and my entire perspective shifted.

Over the last few weeks He has lovingly gone above and beyond to restore the time, money and emotional weariness not only with physical solutions but exciting opportunities to grow and exercise new spiritual authority. It’s not always the victory we envision or when we think it will/should happen but you can rest assured when you can stop and ask Him those questions you’ve already laid waste to enemy plans.

If at any point in life you’ve decided that Jesus is your one and only Leader then the honest truth is; whether you feel like it today or not, with Jesus as your Leader you are a warrior. The best part is because He is always the perfect Leader and never apart from you, your very presence causes the dark one and his henchmen to tuck tail and quiver.

You never have to “be” anything, His love for you has done it all already. No wonder the enemy lobs so many lies, they know where He has sent them. Here are a few things He has to say about you:
Zephaniah 3:17 – The Eternal your God is standing right here among you, and He is the champion who will rescue you. He will joyfully celebrate over you; He will rest in His love for you; He will joyfully sing because of you like a new husband. (The Voice Translation)

Psalm 111:3-4 – His work is marked with beauty and majesty; His justice has no end.4 His wonders are reminders that the Eternal is gracious and compassionate to all. (The Voice Translation)

Remember you are part of His works and you are marked with beauty and majesty!

1 John 3:1-2 -Consider the kind of extravagant love the Father has lavished on us—He calls us children of God! It’s true; we are His beloved children. And in the same way the world didn’t recognize Him, the world does not recognize us either. 2 My loved ones, we have been adopted into God’s family; and we are officially His children now. The full picture of our destiny is not yet clear, but we know this much: when Jesus appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him just as He is. (The Voice Translation)

Notice He says we’re family. Ask Him to bring some “family” into your life if you don’t already have people that will stick by you, call you up and sometimes call you out in those messy real life moments. Finally, the next time you read Psalm 91 read it as His declaration and promise to you. He is true to His word!