Just a brief note, guys!  Today, I find myself being torn sometimes to believe that things are hopeless, that my life will never get better, that things will continue to degenerate in the world around, that life is just over, as I know it!

And what precipitated this?  It’s profound!  It was a comment from my son who was mad that I made him do homework.  He quipped, “Why don’t you do your work, Dad?!?”  Nevermind that I had just gotten his brother and sister to bed, had sorted laundry the night before, was working on the last few loads, and, at that moment, was folding freshly-dried laundry (including his shirts).  Yeah…I was wasting time!  Still, as the situation was handled and resolved (he got a brief, I swear – brief, lecture and went on with his work), the hit was still affected, and my heart still sank a bit, feeling undervalued and with no actual, physical person to lean on.

I don’t know about you, but these episodes, some event discouraging me, have been common to me as I have walked this road.  While the world has many names for it (depression, discouragement, hopelessness…), I put a single phrase to it: spiritual warfare.  While such a simple bout of discouragement may not sound like spiritual warfare, we need to remember that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

When the enemy (or the flesh) begins to bang on your door, telling you that you’re worthless, telling you that your kids will hate you, telling you that your kids will turn out dysfunctional, telling you lies, you need to turn your eyes to Jesus.  Call out for Him!  He is there, waiting for you!  Do not believe the lies that there is no hope!  He is hope!

7eventh Down (“Seventh Down”) expresses this beautifully in their song “Just Say Jesus,” and as a testimonial, I can tell you it works!  All you have to do is speak His name, whisper, grunt, scream His name and your soul will open as His arms encapsulate you in true love!  Enjoy the song, and, as always….

Vires et Honorem – 1 Corinthians 15:10