Done with the Devil

I’m on the phone with my sister one night and hear my niece come into her room crying. Kara tells me to hold on and I hear the following conversation:

Honey, what’s wrong?

(Through tears) Mom, I just can’t handle living with the devil anymore!

What are you talking about? Why can’t you handle it?

(Through more tears) He makes me forget to brush my teeth and brush my hair!

Well honey, he’s not going anywhere, so remember that Jesus is greater than the devil. And… you’ll have to figure out how to remember to do those things. Now go get ready for bed.

Footsteps and muffled tears…

“Hey sis- I’m back. Did you hear that?”
Much laughter later, we continued our conversation…..

I still smile when I think of that conversation. If only you could have heard the pitiful voice of my niece expressing her frustration with the devil, you would still be chuckling too! (She’s a 9 year old believer who feels like she’s seen it all!)

But as I think more about that conversation, I can’t help but admit that Carolina admitted what I feel on so many days. Total despair and frustration with the devil and how he has affected my world.  And the reality that some days I, too, think… I just can’t take it anymore.  Maybe it’s not over something as “childish” as brushing my teeth… or maybe, just maybe it is.  As much as I’d like to pretend I only get overwhelmed when I’m making decisions that affect hundreds of lives, the genuine awful truth is I get overwhelmed.  Sometimes over monumental tasks and sometimes over miniscule tasks.

In those moments, I must become like a child… like my sweet genuine niece and go to the Lord…. “Dad, I just can’t handle living with the devil anymore! I’m so heartbroken, and he’s telling me to doubt everything!”

And my heavenly father soothes…  “Holly, he’s not going anywhere for a while. But remember, I am in you, and I am always greater than him.” *

Some of you might be asking, really? You remember that Jesus lives in your heart and it makes it all better?  Well, no, not always. But it could if I would let it.

What do I mean by that? It’s like the difference between when I was scared as a single woman versus being scared as a married woman. When I “heard” something when I lived alone, there was nothing to alleviate the fear. I just had to try to pretend I didn’t hear it and fall asleep before anything else spooked me.

When I “hear” something as a married woman, I tell my husband I heard something, and then fall sleep knowing there is someone there to protect me.

My fear is gone because I have someone to protect me.

If only I would apply that same truth to my spiritual life. 

On the darkest days, let’s start allowing the Father’s presence to alleviate the fears and frustrations that often come from living life.  

Let’s start realizing that on some days, overcoming the devil might be brushing your teeth. Combing your hair. Getting dressed. 

And for that day, that is enough.

On other days, it might be setting slaves free. Overcoming your addiction. Running for office. Teaching a Bible study. 

And for that day, that is enough.

But then one day God will say

 “That is Enough.” 

And we will live in a beautiful place for the rest of eternity.

 With no devil. 

No forgetting brushing of teeth and hair.
 No frustrations. No pain. No cancer. No abuse. No bad days. No anxious nights.

As C.S. Lewis put it,

"Joy is the serious business of heaven."

*1 John 4:4