Snotheads

Hey, look, I know you’re upset, but you’re not the only one having a bad day.

Yes, I recognize the fact that you’re stressed. You’ve told the world about a bazillion times by now. And yeah, I know you’re annoyed with life and people and the world in general, and that you’re doing your best to make sure everyone around you is just as miserable as your poor pitiful butt is.

Your grades are dropping. Woe is you! There’s more to life than a bunch of numbers. Your friends are being jerks. Well, it’s not like you’ve never done that before, you perfectly good little angel.  (Are angels actually perfect? Haven’t heard that one from the actual Bible.)

No! I’m not sympathizing with you; you finally noticed! Do you know why? Because there’s a suffering world out there, and here you are whining on your hiney when your brothers and sisters around the world are being tortured, martyred, and persecuted. This life actually isn’t about you; have you forgotten that? Have you forgotten that your entire life is a fleeting moment in which every second counts?

I know it’s hard. I’m not saying it isn’t, and God didn’t lie to us by saying that, either. Yet you’re focusing so much on the now that you can’t even manage to turn your head to look back at all the times He’s pulled you through. You’re so stuck in the little box of “reality” that you’ve forgotten what’s really real. Do you really want to live as if this wretched life will last forever? Do you really want to try finding more joy in your feeble attempts than in remembering His glory? Eternity is waiting, but here you are getting caught up in these tiny things that no one will even remember or care about when it’s all over.

Life is a journey. It’s a war, and you can’t sit back and pity yourself when lives are on the line. Self-pity feels great until you realize you’re only in deeper than when you started.

There are demons out for your life right now. They want to tear you down, and you’re listening to every voice but your Commander’s. Get back on track! Grab your gear and get going! We’ve got a battle to fight. You can do all things through Him who gives you strength.

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 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

-Ephesians 6:10-18