Facets of Faith

Conversations about life, faith, and friendship.

This is War! And the Enemy Has a Plan

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Hey, friend, welcome to FACETS. Have you checked out our topic this month? We’ve been wrestling with the question deeply because the war with this enemy has meaningful implications. This is war! And the enemy has a plan. Tracy shared here thoughts here, and you’ll have the opportunity to read Megan’s post next week. I’m super-excited to welcome back our guest, Tammy Chapman, this month, so don’t miss her thoughts the fourth week!

This is War! And the Enemy Has a Plan. (Jennifer J Howe)

It’s “puppy time” in my world this week, and I’m asking for grace. The timing of my post is a little off, but—you know, puppies! *Giggle* I hope you find the words thought-provoking. (I know I did, the whole time I was writing it!)

How does the enemy try to silence you?

Ahhh, there’s the rub. Look at all the assumptions made in that single question—that there is an enemy actively and nefariously working in opposition, and (in this instance) he is working to silence me.

We have an enemy.

Once upon a time I was oblivious to the reality of the two kingdoms at war in this world. Not surprising, since the unseen is often completely ignored or decidedly focused on with misleading information. One of my favorite reads on the subject is The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. The beauty of the short book is to present a dialogue illuminating the existence of an evil empire and the plans of the enemy. If you haven’t read it, I recommend the 31-letter correspondence between a senior demon (Screwtape) and his nephew (Wormwood). As a point of clarification, when Lewis refers to “Enemy,” he is referring to the main characters’ enemy, God.

I’m quoting Lewis and Scripture because both point to a reality—we have an enemy, and he has a plan.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Our enemy is at work.

When an enemy wages war, how does he do it? Two words: tailor made. Warfare goes after the target’s physical and emotional safety through geography, resources, and most basic needs. Every target has slightly different territory, means, core beliefs, and essentials. The “wise” enemy sizes up the situation and leverages everything to his advantage. Wouldn’t you?

“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,…Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

If I had no belief in the God Who Saves, why would my enemy need to be concerned with an attack on that front. He would, in my opinion, spend more time keeping the reality of the Kingdom of God from entering my mind altogether.

“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

How destructive to our enemies’ plans if we knew and trusted completely in God, the Lover of our souls! And that has little to do with the perfect life, rose-colored glasses, or every answered prayer. The greatest warfare we wage on our enemy is through love and obedience in response to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

“Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

How does the enemy work in a life?

The enemy builds a strategy from the same playbook; there’s nothing all that novel. Identifying tactics you’ve seen before may be a window to the current attack. That’s definitely true in my own life. If the enemy can get me to distrust the goodness of God, doubt my core identity, or ride the spiral of pride and shame down to the pit, he thinks he’s got a successful plan.

And he might…if I begin to believe the lies and question the trusting faith that reunites me with my heavenly Father and saves me from sin and death.

“A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all—and more amusing.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

The lies are passing thoughts at first. Over time, Christianity becomes “weak.” The Bible becomes a dusty book on a shelf. My life becomes “a shameful story no one would want to hear”—and I wouldn’t dare share! And that is the desired effect, isn’t it? Moderated Christianity portrayed powerless, culturally irrelevant, and heaping guilt and shame.

I could become the silent observer in this world waiting for the next. After all, if anyone knew what really goes on in my mind…heart…life. It would be too easy.

Unless—

Truth wages war on lies and the “father of lies.”

When I think of the enemy’s warfare, I know one thing: truth trumps a lie. A mind occupied with truth doesn’t fall for the lie.

My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. Psalm 62:7 NLT

Think about that.

God is victorious, so we are.
Any honor we have is from God.
And He is our safe place!

No harm or condemnation. We are loved, honored, and cherished. If we choose to join His life, He joins us in ours.

Who wouldn’t want to tell the unsuspecting sojourner in this world that there’s a good God who saves us from sin and into the Kingdom of light?

It’s a battle.

It really is a battle between two kingdoms, but it’s not as if the Kingdom of God is in jeopardy. We can and do know how the story ends. Until that time, I pray for you the way Paul prayed:

…I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:14b-19 NLT

Friend, do not be silenced! We have the honest truth, the real good news! I pray that we will know the truth, and that truth will produce freedom for each of us and the people in our lives. It really is something to talk about. We cannot stay silent.

Thank you for reading all the words. It is a blessing to know some of you personally, both face-to-face and at a distance. It would make my day to hear your thoughts in the comments below or at the Facebook Page.

And please, consider introducing the Facets to your friends and family. We’d love to meet them!

Signature: Jennifer Howe

Love From a Distance

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Hello friends!  Welcome back to our gathering space.  This month, each of us have pondered on the question “Do they know they are loved?” and each of us ending with a different “facet” (haha)… Check back with Jen and Tracy to hear their thoughts, and get excited for next week’s guest, Judy!  I am going to be really honest, this has by far been the hardest post I have ever written. There have been tears, second guessing, broken internet, interruptions, lost writing, emotional exhaustion, more tears, and the list goes on.  I pray that God meets us both here, and our hearts find rest in a time of unrest.

03 2020 Do they know they are loved? Megan Abbott

Loneliness Epidemic

For years I have overheard the idea that loneliness is an epidemic in our society, but I don’t think I have ever truly experienced long-term loneliness.  I have had moments of loneliness, glimpses, but never long-term. Moments when living alone left me feeling isolated, searching for a new community made me miss old friends, or even those times I was filling out an emergency contact at the doctor’s office and I remembered I’m single, and my family is 550 miles away. 

Then this past week happened.  Each day there were multiple updates.  It was like every few hours the news changed, trips cancelled, gatherings over 1000, then over 250, then churches cancelled, and then schools cancelled.  Honestly, by the time we got to the middle of the week, each time I read the news, or got another notification about something changing I started crying. I could foresee the moment when I would be told “you should stay home until further notice”.  And now we’re there. I live alone. No other people. No community. No visitors to look forward to. No trips. Just me and my dog. And without a real end date. This is why I was crying all last week. The prospect of loneliness was ominous.

God Given Community

There is no denying that we were created to live in community.  Start in Genesis with Adam and Eve in community with God. The census and lists of tribes throughout the Old Testament.  The friendship between David and Jonathan. Jesus and His disciples. Think, even, just about the Trinity. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  They exist in community as One. So there is no surprise that we, created in God’s image, would so desperately need community.    

My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13 (NIV)

I often experience God’s love and grace towards me through my friends.  They remind me of the truth when I can’t see it. They get me laughing and bring joy to my days.  They give me hugs at just the right moments, when I am really needing to feel God’s presence. 

So what happens when we are alone? Or we are starting over somewhere new? Or there is a global pandemic, and to best love our neighbors, we practice social distancing? How do “they” know they are loved when no one is around?  The easy answer is “God promises to always be with you” (Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 28:20), but what about the moments when we need tangible community? When God feels too far away, and we need a hug to remind us that we aren’t in this alone (unless you are Jen and hugging isn’t your thing). 

Seen From A Distance

A year or so ago, my friend Alaina gave a sermon at her church where the main message was: “The cure for loneliness is to help other people feel less lonely.” We have to be intentional to love people when we aren’t physically able to be in a room with them.  If you are thinking of your friend, send them a text and let them know you are thinking of them, or that you miss them.  Ask them how they are, and actually anticipate a response. Think about a time when you most felt seen and remembered by a loved one, and do that for someone else.  Love people unconditionally like God loves you. While I acknowledge that the Spirit lives within me and often reminds me of God’s presence, God has done a pretty awesome job of leaving me feeling loved and remembered without physically being within the 6 foot buffer recommended by social distancing.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to nudge you, and then listen when people are brought to your mind.

It is okay, and super healthy, to acknowledge if you are sad, if you are feeling disappointed, loss, anxiety, or even a little scared. I think a lot of us are.  Which means we aren’t alone. If you are feeling lonely, reach out to a friend and start the conversation. If you have friends or loved ones that are living alone, check on them.  Call them and remind them they are seen and remembered. Help others feel less lonely.

When life starts to return to normal for most of us, let’s remember that community still requires intentionality.  Loneliness will still be an epidemic requiring our attention.  Let us grow in compassion for one another, and ask God how we can use that compassion to better love our community now, and in the future. 

Join us on Facebook, or in the comments, and let us know how you are loving your friends and community from afar!

Signature: Megan Abbott

Do They Know They Are Loved?

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I (Tracy) am looking forward to seeing how God uses each of the posts from the  FACETS team to enlarge your understanding of how deeply you are loved. There is no greater truth that has the power to transform your life and the lives of others. You won’t want to miss what God puts on Jennifer’s, Megan’s, and our special guest Judy Maldonado’s hearts. We’d love to hear a report of what God does in your heart as you  open His love letters to you each week this month. We invite you to let His love greet you across these pages. He pursues you.

03 2020 Do they know they are loved? T StellaWe want to think our brothers and sisters in Christ know they are loved. We understand the world might not get the height and depth of God’s love for them. But our brothers and sisters in Christ?  Surely. Surely, they know at the core of who they are that they are loved.  They are forgiven. They are righteous. They are holy and redeemed. They have the deposit of the Holy Spirit ministering, filling, teaching, comforting, cleansing, purifying, sanctifying, and so much more.  They know they are loved. Right?

Right?

Sometimes, we can say the words without really believing them, or believing them for ourselves.  Jesus loves you.  We may even say it over ourselves, but do we let it sink deep into our hearts?  Do we let our Father’s hands etch it upon our minds, so we never doubt it?

Or do we only believe those things are true for the “good Christians”, the ones who seem to have all their spiritual ducks in a row?

Here’s the truth: if you accepted Christ, you are a good Christian. You are good enough to receive His love. He is not disappointed in you, precious one. He loves you. He wants nothing more than to help you, to heal you, to make you whole.

We are all being transformed into His image.  None of us has arrived. That’s not what this faith walk is about.

Do we wear God’s love like armor to protect us from the enemy’s fiery darts?  We need to. Love is a weapon. Jesus wants His warriors to wear His love. Perfect love casts out all fear.  (See 1 John 4:18)

Afraid you are unlovable? Perfect love casts that thought over the boat and into the abyss.  No one is beyond the reach of God’s love.

Maybe we didn’t do this life perfectly – even after getting saved and we think, “Well that’s it. God can’t use me now. I screwed up royally.”

Maybe we never even got to the mindset where we thought God could use us in the first place. Yes, we got saved. But maybe we think it was by the skin of our teeth, like if God really knew, if those people over there really knew me, they wouldn’t think I was worthy, worthy of God’s love, God’s grace, their fellowship, their friendship, or serving any kingdom purpose.

God knows what He’s getting in each of us. And He accepts us anyhow, whatever our condition. He’s not surprised by who we are.  He’s far more interested in who we are becoming. You are not a disappointment to Him. He is your biggest Champion. He is your Companion. Let His love walk you through every season. Let His love greet you on the good days. Let His love minister to you on the dark days when you wished things looked different.

He is present in both.

And He won’t leave you, especially in your darkest hour.

It’s Valentine’s Day and I’m writing this post, pondering whether the people all around me know they are loved.  It’s the day of all things red – flowers, hearts, and celebration of love.  Christ’s redemptive blood─Love’s greatest sacrifice.

And yet I ponder the fact someone left this world too soon, because in his darkest moments he didn’t fully understand the depths of God’s love for him. Depression doesn’t see beyond today’s struggle. It lies to us saying, “There’s no hope for the future.”

A funeral on Valentine’s Day is hard.

That causes me to pause, a long pause to reflect. Why? How? How can this be?

How can someone who loved the Lord so deeply not know how deeply the Lord loved him?  It breaks my heart for him before he breathed his very last breath. It breaks my heart for his family. It breaks my heart for what the world will now miss, because this man left the world too soon.

It’s not any less heartbreaking when someone who doesn’t know Christ leaves this world too soon. But I could at least rationalize in my head that without Jesus this world just gets too hard sometimes. Without Him to carry the weight of our burdens when they become too much, they are too much.

I know that from my own story. It’s tragedies like this that churn my memory. Before I knew Christ, I hit rock bottom, a few times.  Life was hard, as it  sometimes can be. And without the Lord, hard things can hit us like a ton of bricks. Like a wrecking ball, they nearly take us out.

When I was in my early 20’s I was sexually violated at a party (I can’t bring myself to type the word for what it really was, but you can fill in the word, I’m sure.) If I can’t type the word 30+ years later, you might imagine how I handled it back then. I suppressed the memory. I shoved it into a dark corner of my brain, because I couldn’t deal with it.

The only problem with that logic is that it isn’t helpful. At all. A buried wound isn’t healed. If not dealt with, it festers.  And that’s what it did.

My heart and brain couldn’t deal with the pain I tried to cover up with the equivalent of an emotional band-aid. Not dealt with, the pain dealt with me.

That young woman who I have such compassion for now, at the hardness of that trespass against me, couldn’t cover over the pain with her suck it up buttercup skills.  Instead, I attempted to take my own life. Depression and grief tried to overtake me.

But God!

God’s mercy sent someone to break a door down and literally saved me.  God’s love sent help. I didn’t know Him, but He knew me — even back then, even in the midst of my hot mess of a life.

Fast forward to my 40’s and I found myself ready to sink from the weight of severe depression. I’d lost my marriage, my home, my career, my sense of identity in almost every way.  On the very darkest day, I was ready to leave. I was just too weary. I wasn’t a wimp, but I was tired of fighting to hang on. I’d given up hope.

God’s mercy sent a woman to my front door the day I had decided I was done. God disagreed. He wanted me to believe. Believe in Him. Believe in myself. Believe there was hope beyond the darkness of that day.

And there was.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”─Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

These aren’t just any words. If they are familiar to you, don’t let their familiarity steal the powerful, transforming, hopeful truth they possess. There is a bright future ahead for you, even if you don’t see it in this exact moment.

God’s mercy reaching for us tells me how much He genuinely loves us.  His mercy reaches for us all; I believe it with all my heart.  Cling to Him and the hope only He can give.  His love changes lives.  I know that full well, and He wants that for all of us.

Do you know you are loved that much too? You are you know!

In both of those scenarios I didn’t know Christ. I didn’t know the depth of His love for me. And when the world hits hard like a tsunami, we can nearly be washed away at sea.

But here’s the thing.

Once we are saved, the same thing can happen. We aren’t invincible.  We need God’s love, especially when we want to do great things for God’s kingdom — and we are.

I think of this man who left us too soon. He wasn’t perfect any more than you or I. But He did love Jesus. He was Christ’s ambassador.  He was a worshipper. He was a warrior. He prayed for healing for me, and I received it. He was a vessel for God’s power and love.

How does someone who embodies God’s love to others not know it for himself?

How does someone who has passion and zeal for Christ not find the strength to hang on? It’s the very hardest of questions, and I don’t have an answer. It’s utterly heart breaking.

I think of all this world will miss out on and my eyes well with tears.

I wonder, what is the point of this?

I wonder how God can work this to good.  I know His word says He works all things together for the good of those who love Him. (See Romans 8:28)

But how God?

How do you take this tragedy and make it into something good?

I don’t doubt You in that; I just can’t see it. But I do pray You reveal Your goodness. I pray You wring every ounce of good You can from this tragedy. Save lives. Open eyes. Reveal Your heart. Heal wounds. Bring revival.

I already saw evidence of God’s goodness at the funeral when this man’s son spoke. I wept at his courage, at his sharing of story, and the beautiful legacy of the love of Christ this man left in his children. I pray this son is one of God’s greatest warriors and that God use him in a mighty way, even as He already did today. I pray God continues to help him rise into the fullness of his calling and that He be a powerful and profound voice that rises up against the darkness. That God’s light would shine brilliantly through him, even as we saw today. In Jesus’ name!

To do the hard thing, I hope this son knows he lived out Scripture poignantly today. Well done good and faithful servant. Well done! You honored your father, and you blessed everyone who got to hear how he shaped your life.

I wonder why I’m writing this post and I think it’s to remind us, none of us is immune.

We all need God.

We all need each other.

Jesus said…

“A new command I give you:  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”─John 13:34-35 NIV

We can’t assume because someone knows Christ that he or she is okay.

We can’t assume because someone has a smile slathered across his or her face they are free from problems and don’t need our help.

We can’t assume because someone loves the Lord and even worships Him that he or she believes they are worthy of Christ’s love.  (They are. You are. I am. But we can’t assume anyone believes it.)

If God puts someone on your heart, pray for them.

If God asks you to reach out to someone, do so. You never know if that call will save someone’s life.

We are not called to be codependent, but we are co-heirs with Christ called to love one another.

If God is Immanuel, and He is, He knows. He knows every heart. He holds it tenderly in His hands. And He may call upon us to help that person keep his or her head above water.

God has given all believers the manifestation of the Holy Spirit to be used for the common good.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.─1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV

I’ve seen several tragedies in the Church recently, and I think God is saying, “Enough!”

Enough!

He wants us to see each other, really see each other. He wants us to be brave enough to sit with someone in his or her pain.  He wants us to love. Sacrificially. No more doing church. He wants us to be the Church.  We don’t do these things in our strength, but through the manifestation of the Spirit who deeply cares about the common good.

Mind you, I’m not blaming the Church for these things. I’m merely suggesting we remain attentive and observant to whom God places before us.  There is purpose in where He has planted us.  The people He has placed in our lives are there for a reason.

We never know what someone is really going through.  We don’t know who among us doesn’t believe that they are loved.

What if you and I are the people God is sending to show them they are?

When I went to this man’s funeral, I felt strongly like I was supposed to collect his precious bride’s face in my hands and see her, to give her the most tender of Christ’s touch in a very fragile time.  I prayed she would feel God’s love through my arms. I knew my hug wouldn’t be sufficient. I am not enough to comfort her in her grief.

But God is. His Spirit in me and you is the love His kids need.

I pray God’s Spirit manifests in each of us as we are an expression of His love.

There are days when I need it. And there are days when I can give it.

We should be very generous with each other as we give God’s love away. His love is better than any Valentine’s Day bouquet.  His love won’t die in a few days. His love is never failing, never ending.

But from everlasting to everlasting

The LORD’s love is with those who fear him,

And his righteousness with their children’s children─

─Psalm 103:17 NIV

That gives me comfort. For all eternity, God will love us. And not only that, but His righteousness extends to our children’s children.

Lord, if there is someone in this moment who is full of despair and doesn’t believe he or she is worthy of Your love, of life itself, I pray You stop them in their tracks right now, that You send a missionary of mercy – even if that is me in this very moment – to say there is a brighter day than what today’s dark shadow suggests. Hang on. Let God minister to you. Let Him fill you to overflowing with His love, healing, and redemption. I pray, Lord, You help anyone struggling with depression. Guide them to professionals and friends You have set in place to serve them. Let the help be kingdom-minded and attentive to Your voice, giving wisdom and discernment to bring healing and hope.  And, Lord, I do pray You would help us all to see the cries for help. I pray we don’t miss them. I pray You bring something good from this tragedy, Lord. I pray You strengthen the Church to be able to help minister to one another. We need Your guidance in every way, Lord. We can’t love well without Your leadership showing us how. So please show us. And help every eye reading this post receive Your love. Help us to receive Your love, Lord. Let us wear Your armor of love well. Let us be warriors for You, wielding love as a weapon against the fiery darts of the enemy. Let us be the belief when our brothers and sisters can’t and let them be that for us when we have weak moments ourselves. Keep us humble and submitted to You, Lord. Let none of us think just because we are Christian that we have to portray we have it all figured out, or we have it all together. Let us be receivers of your love, grace, and mercy, because we are desperate for it.  In Jesus’ name, amen!

If you have thoughts of suicide, please seek help. Reach out to your pastor or a Christian counselor. If you are in northern Illinois, there are 3 counseling practices I know and trust to serve you with the love of Christ. God loves you so much! Don’t doubt it for a single moment. This is His mercy reaching for you.

YOU ARE LOVED!

Join the conversation here or on our Facebook page.

Signature: Tracy Stella

RESOURCE LINKS to Christian counseling practices in northern Illinois.

Catherine Hunter and Associates

Cherry Hill Counseling

Ken Gates and Associates