Currently, I’m about 2/3 done with my Spring Bible Study, and we are studying the book of Revelations. It’s has been, in the words of our leader, a “mind-blowing” experience...so far. In closing last week, one of the last things she challenged us to do, was to “find victory over the ‘red dragon’ in small, daily defeats.” When she said that I wrote it in my notes, with a sly smile on face, because I was started to think of ways that I had already defeated him in a small ways, and I didn’t even know it. I realized that my last blog was one of the small ways to defeat Satan. When I didn't allow myself to be overwhelmed by life’s mishaps or everyday chores, I’m actually finding victory in Christ. WHOA! and I was able to share those victories, and give folks an idea of what a exactly a small victory could be.
SIDE NOTE: For those, like me that may not know, the “red dragon” is one of several ways Satan is portrayed in Chapter 12. I learned this in this study.
Now I thought you may be asking, “How else?”So, here are a few things that popped in to mind today:
1. By not cursing or giving a negative gesture to that person that pulled out in front of you or cut you off on the road today.
2. Don’t get mad at your child when they accidentally do something. Hey, accidents happen right, that is why they are called accidents. (I’ve gotten better about this lately)
3. Don’t say I told you so, even when it’s warranted. Be supportive and help others.
4. When you are going through something, don’t ask God why, ask him for strength to get through it. I'm sure you have heard the saying "God doesn't give us more than we can handle." I disagree. Our preacher once said, "Of course he does!" How else would we be able to rely on Him in our toughest times.
5. Don’t assume your husband meant to hurt your feelings when something he says does. I once saw a picture that said, "I'm only responsible for what I say, not what you hear." This is so true. I struggle with this one.
6. Instead of eating a whole bag of candy, eat ½ or walk away.May not seem like a victory, but you can do all things though Christ.
7. Go to church, even if you haven’t been in a while. You’ll be welcomed. Every time.
8. Don’t make a comment about the shoes that girl is wearing, or how big she is, or that she doesn’t match. It's not our place to be anyone's judge.
9. Be positive.
10. Stop all your complaining*, and start glorifying (Read the book of Job). Anytime I feel like I have things rough, I just think back to the book of Job, and how he glorified the Lord, even when things where at the lowest.
*Phillipians 2: 14-15 (NLT) says: 14 In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.
#10, is by hard the hardest for me. I complain daily about others stupidity, or that I’m hungry, or that I’m tired. So you’re not alone, I’m constantly working on this too. I encourage you to try, and to start surrounding yourself with people that will not only hold you accountable, but will make you strive to be a better person.
If you build on the small victories, with every choice you make, each day, you will see a change, and I promise it will be for the better. Remember, a house is built one brick at a time. A race is run, one step at a time. So you have to start somewhere!
Here's a little song to inspire you today:
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