Sometimes, I like to envision my life as a sturdy tree.  There are seasons, when my branches are covered in lush, green leaves. I thrive, basking in the rays of the warm sun, being quenched by the tepid spring rains. And then, there are seasons when I weaken, shivering against the unexpected blast of frigid, wintry air. Encroached by the roots of negativity, leaves fall, branches crackle, and I go dormant. But unlike the expected transitions that occur with each passing season, my emotions are not always so predictable.  Oh, how I wish they were!! ;-D

The roots of negativity run far beneath the surface.

Unfortunately, nowadays, emotional instability runs rampant in the world, devouring unbelievers and Christians alike.  Bouts of sadness, anger, fear, and unease have become an all too common part of everyday life; almost “the norm”.  And Satan is loving every second of it!!!!

I know that I have mentioned this verse before, but it bears repeating.  In 1 Peter 5 (another Epistle 😉 ), the Apostle, Peter, provides directions to the elders on how to guide their flock.  He also speaks to the younger generation about being humble and obedient to God.  But then, he addresses the entire group, reminding them to, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8.

These words are still applicable today.  The enemy still targets mankind. And, because he is so cunning, God spoke these words to Peter so that we too would commit them to memory and be on the alert.

Like thorny vines emerging from the darkest depths, Satan uses our emotions to strangle our sturdy tree (life). Some of Satan’s many deceits are depression, anxiety, grief, and fear. Although relevant and real — they are mere tactics, used to zap our will to persevere.

When this happens, we may feel as though the thorny roots of negativity run far too deep to be severed. We feel that we are to ensnared by these vines, to escape. It may even feel like, no matter how many thorny vines we cut, the rejuvenating sunlight is still just beyond reach. It becomes hard to breathe, think, and function.

But remember that this is exactly what Satan wants. The more depleted our emotional strength is, the more depleted our spiritual strength typically is as well and the less likely we are to carry out God’s plan for our lives.

Depression that keeps us from getting out of bed, also causes us to miss potential opportunities to share our testimony and faith with someone. If we are too anxious or self-conscious to take a stand for our faith, someone might miss the opportunity to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. That is someone’s soul!!! I do not want to arrive in Heaven, to learn that I missed out on such an important opportunity, because I allowed myself to be deceived by the enemy’s lies.

So, how then do we break free from Satan’s stranglehold when we feel helpless? We seek God’s comfort and peace, in prayer. And we seek wisdom through His Holy Word.

When we feel the shadow of depression creeping up on us, God tells us that we can cast our burdens on Him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

When our hearts begin to race with panic or anxiety, we must remember the promise of Phillipians 4:6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When we are grief-stricken by some unforeseen event, we must remember that God has promise to “…wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Or Psalm 147:3, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

When we are fearful, we must remember that God says, “9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:9-10.

And, let us not forget, that even our weakness is not of God.  Despite the fact that God has already won the war, He has called us to be His soldiers, fighting small battles here on earth for His glory.  Each battle, whether it seems like we have been defeated or have been victorious, adds to the testimony that God can use (through us) to bring others to know Him.  “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28.

So, what do we do when we feel drained by Satan’s constant barraging? Strangling by the vines of deceit? Prepare for battle!

“11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11-17.

Christians are not exempt from the influence of the enemy.  There are times when we all feel fatigued, anxious, saddened, depressed, confused, lonely, and overall unsettled.  During these times, the thorny roots of negativity (Satan’s lies) attempt to poison the soil of our minds, creating a sense of hopelessness and strangling out the light of the Son.

But God says that we are never alone.  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. He is always standing by our side, even when we might not see (or feel) Him there.  When we are too weak to fight, God is our strength. 

And God loves us.  “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD.” Romans 8:37-39. Let us rest in this knowledge! When we are too grief-stricken to endure another moment, God is the comforting arms that cradle us in His security.  He is the shadow that rests upon the ground beneath our sturdy tree and keeps the thorny vines at bay. He is the provider of the Son that promotes our growth and the rain that nourishes us.

Each time that we face the toxic roots of negativity, we must remember that God is in control.  Bad things will happen, but God turns them to good and uses them for His glory to rescue others from the penalty of their sins.  We may not always understand His purpose.  But, rest assured, that it is far greater than we could ever imagine. And, if there is pain, it is only temporary. He is right there with us in the storm.

The apostle Paul suffered through imprisonments, shipwrecks, and persecutions. He said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18. We should have the same mindset.

Only God knows what the future holds.  He knows the deepest contents of our hearts.  And He knows our past, our present, and our future. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8. So, if God knows all that was, is, and will be, why do we doubt that He will turn our trials into a time of refinement? Why do we doubt that we will emerge from the fire pure and priceless, like precious gold?  When will we realize that He IS the light that surrounds us during our darkest moments?

God has the power to cut through the roots of negativity that are trying to strangle our healthy trunks! We have to trust and believe it. Like strong trees, let us gain our strength from the Son. Let’s be prepared for battle and become the soldiers that He created us to be! We have to get out of bed and fight this battle for Him today! What are we waiting for?!?!

Father God, we praise You for Your enduring, selfless love.  Thank You for getting us through the darkest periods of our lives.  We thank You for the strength and comfort that only You can provide.  Help us to project that love outwardly to those who need to hear from You most.  Raise us up to be Your soldiers, fighting for every last soul.  If it means that we should endure trials, Lord God, allow us to use them to glorify You.

Lord, we offer praise to You because You are our sun and our shade.  You grow us with the light of your Son and You nurture our roots with Your Living Water.  You have already conquered the thorny roots of negativity! We know that you keep Your promises and that, when You are by our sides, we can pull through anything.  Be our light in these times of darkness.  Thank you for all that You are to us.  We love you and praise you.  In Jesus’s precious name. Amen.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and are weak from earthly exhaustion, and being strangled by the vines of fear, anxiety and negativity, please go to our Life Preserver Page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). Please pray the prayer that is outlined there. Because in that prayer, God will give you the strength, rest, and stability that you so desperately crave.  Once you have done so, please feel free to reach out to me at admin@forgiven-n-loved.com.  I’d love to be in prayer with — and for — you.  May God bless you!

Luv ya!