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Just as God is constantly at work in our lives, I believe Satan doesn't rest either. He is constantly lurking and seeking new and different ways to trip us up, to cause us to stumble and doubt.

Doubt is something I hate to admit I do all the time. It is a constant struggle for me. It occurred to me recently that before Eve was tempted in the garden, "doubt" didn't exist. Adam and Eve were allowed to live in perfect love and harmony in the garden with their creator. But the serpent was crafty and he tempted Eve by just placing a little doubt in her mind and that's all it took… just a little. Not much, just a tiny bit. But it was just enough doubt for Eve to stumble. Isn't that still true today? Satan is constantly using situations, circumstances and even other believers to cause us to doubt ourselves, our salvation, our value, our purpose.

A couple of weeks ago I made the following entry into my journal: "Dear God, why do I struggle so? Why do I crave the intimacy with other people and yet still feel so unfulfilled? I know the solution is YOU. Yet even in the knowing I still struggle to put what I know into action. I long for You Jesus to fill the empty places within me. I long for a heart that desires You and You alone. I want so badly to let You be my all and all. I say it! I believe it! And yet living it is still a struggle because I fight my flesh… which is weak. Jesus, fill me with Your presence – fill me with Your strength - fill me with Your love – fill me with Your Spirit. I need You to overcome my struggles."

I've faced some really difficult challenges the past couple of weeks. I have been mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually weak. Unfortunately, in the midst of all of this, I've let my guard down and Satan has taken advantage of it. I've had my heart stomped on, my spirit crushed, my emotions trampled… in fact, I feel like I've been hit by a bus. (Gee… getting hit by a bus might be easier to manage than all the emotional pain I've encountered.) However, in the pain there has been growth, truth and healing. For those things, I am extremely grateful. I can see God is at work.

I've also made a commitment to feed my soul with God's word and nourish my spirit in His truths. In Colossians 2:6-8 it says, So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

I've got to stop letting others and the world determine my worth and instead rely on the one truth that truly matters... Christ, His life, His death and His resurrection… all because He loved me. He loves you too. Don't ever forget that. No matter what anyone else says about you or does to you. There are times when it just hurts, I know, but in light of eternity, it doesn't matter. All that matters is to have a right relationship with Christ. He loves you so much He was willing to die for you and for me. Let's not forget the truth and be thankful.

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

I See Dead People (Updated Version)