2 Corinthians 10:3
The fact that we are living in a physical world in human bodies of flesh does not mean that we engage ourselves in a combat dictated to by the typical “tit-for-tat” strategies of the politics of the day. (Mirror Bible)

Are you still blaming people?

There are times when the intensity of the pain in your heart makes you forget you are not fighting against a person. You spend time wondering why he would do that. You question the quality of your friendship, and what she said puzzled you. Even though you tell yourself it’s not the person, why doesn’t it sink in? If you follow your present train of thought, the enemy has won. Not only has he gotten the victory by using the person who “hurt” you; he’s also gotten the victory in your life. When you’re in the battle, you have to stand on the word.

Luke 10:19 Look! I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to destroy all the enemy’s power, and nothing will ever hurt you. (International Standard Version ISV)

Nothing means nothing, not a thing. If you believe the word, then why are you “hurt”?

James 4:1 What is the cause of your conflicts and quarrels with each other? Doesn’t the battle begin inside of you as you fight to have your own way and fulfill your own desires? (The Passion Translation TPT)

You choose your response to every situation. Choose wisely.

Proverbs 29:11 The foolish one will bring forth all his spirit; and the wise one will restrain it back. (Smith’s Literal Translation SLT)

You can’t allow your emotions and your intellect to dictate how you respond, no matter what you are going through.

Proverbs 25:28 If you live without restraint and are unable to control your temper, you’re as helpless as a city with broken-down defenses, open to attack. (The Passion Translation TPT)

This takes practice to discipline your emotions. However, please acknowledge this truth; no one can “make” you do anything or feel anything. You choose how you respond every time. Stop rehearsing the interactions over and over in your mind.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (KJV)

 Submit yourself to the Lord and you will learn it is not people, it’s you.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for reminding me I don’t wrestle with people. I repent for every time I chose to be “hurt” and acted like someone else was the blame. Thank You for not giving up on me. You kept reminding me and teaching me to stop rehearsing every incident. I now know I don’t have to understand why someone does or says something; often, they don’t even know. I just have to understand what You want from me. I have to see people as souls. They could be my Christian brother or sister or still waiting to accept your invitation to salvation. I know the devil orchestrated whatever was said or whatever was done. It is not the person. The devil wants to hurt me, make me feel bad, or stop me in my tracks. Whatever he does, he does it with intentionality. This may be a gullible position to take, because there are evil people who have given themselves completely to the devil. Either way, it is the work of the enemy. He uses other people. If I am not careful, he will use me. I have to stay focused on the fact that I am in a war. The enemy is trying to win, at any cost and by any means necessary. Please continue showing me how to wage war and demonstrate the love You require. If I lose focus, my interactions and reactions become angry, back and forth, and tit-for-tat. All the while, the enemy is standing on the sidelines cheering. Help me stay engaged in spiritual warfare and disengaged from pettiness…

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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.