Have you ever noticed that when you start a bible study, you begin to struggle in the exact areas the study is supposed to be helping you with?

It never fails. Every time I start a bible study, the enemy starts throwing his darts, attacking the very areas in my life I’m trying to improve. It’s as though I have a big red target painted on my back or a sign that says, “Woman in Bible Study. Shoot Here!”

Friday has become my favorite day of the week. Why you ask? Because it’s the only day I get more than an hour to myself. I get to clean, write, read, or get lost in a new project without interruption. I am convinced the peace this day brings keeps me from going insane —the rest of the week is c-r-a-z-y!

Last Tuesday while driving my daughter back to school she informed me there would be no clinicals this coming Thursday. Thursday was an early dismissal day. And because they were only allowed to go to clinicals during regular school hours they decided to move Thursday’s clinical to Friday.

Lord Jesus help me because I’m about to lose it!

I could feel my peace slipping away as I realized my precious Friday was being threatened. Not only was this the only day I had time to myself, but this particular Friday was special. It was my birthday. I didn’t want to spend my birthday driving her to clinicals. I had plans for my birthday. Fun things! Relaxing things!

I tightly gripped the steering wheel, hoping it would help me maintain some sort of control over my emotions. It didn’t work. I slipped and said something I shouldn’t have. I began to wonder if I could ever change, but then I remembered something from my bible study.

In her book, Unglued Lysa TerKeurst says, “I can face things that are out of my control, and not act out of control.” I thought about her words I realized there was a battle going on. The enemy was throwing his darts, trying to make me think I could never change. I had a choice at this moment. I could choose to let my emotions to get the best of me, give up and never read another page of the study, or I could seek the creator of the universe to help me deal with my emotions in a way that glorifies Him.

The enemy doesn’t want us to succeed.

1 Peter 5:8 reminds us to, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” The enemy will try to do everything within his power to prevent us from studying God’s word and growing in the truth. Why? Because he is threatened when we refuse to give up.

When we refuse to give up glorious things start to happen.

• People follow our example. When we apply God’s word to our life, we glorify Him by setting a Christ-like example for others to learn from and follow. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
• Our excitement is contagious. If we are excited about what God is teaching us, it’s hard to keep a lid on it. It bubbles over into every aspect of our lives, encouraging others to get in the word. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
• We are inspired to share. When God speaks to us through his word, we are inspired to share it with others. And every time we share God’s word we further his Kingdom and bring him glory. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:3 (ESV)
• We are better equipped to battle the enemy.The only way to defeat the lies of the enemy is with the truth found in God’s word. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s word is like a sword. When we fill ourselves with His word  we have a mighty weapon by our side.”For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

A woman who refuses to give up is a force to be reckoned with.  Click To Tweet

Whether you are participating in a bible study or just reading one verse at a time on your own, don’t give up. There will always be something threatening to mess with our plans, take away our peace, or steal our joy. But with God’s help, we can learn to lean on him when it happens. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” In His strength, it’s possible to be successful and not lose control when the enemy throws his darts.

Today I am linking up with #IntentionalTuesday and #DanceWithJesus