There are battles that some of us face everyday between thoughts and reality. For the most part, we are all controlled by our feelings and emotions in one way or another. Our thoughts control our emotions, our emotions control our feelings, our feelings control our choices, our choices control our actions, and our actions are seen in our behavior. If we are not prepared, Satan will wreak havoc and destruction, bring chaos and brokenness to our lives. For me, over the past few weeks, I have gotten caught up in thoughts that challenge my peace in the present and inhibit my hope for my future. I quite often fail to grasp what is written in *Romans 8:28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.* I do love God, and believe that I am called according to His plan and purpose, but I’ve cried out to the Lord and said, “This pressure is too great, the attacks are too many, I’m not equipped for this.” Then I heard the still small voice of God respond, “What voice are you listening to? It is not Mine, because I have equipped you for this.” God seems to be showing me that He is redirecting my life. To what or where, that is not clear. There have been times when I’ve let the presence of the storm cause me to doubt the predominance of God. Whenever I have fallen, God has lifted me up. The times that I have felt the most broken, God has healed me. The times that I fail, God helps me to overcome my failure. In the depths of my pain and suffering, everything I go through feels like it is a decision to reward my enemy and hinder me. But in reality, God’s grace is a gift from Him to one undeserving soul, mine. Personally, I have good days in battling my thought life, more recently, not so much. I struggle to make a battle plan for victory to make sure not to fall to disastrous defeat. I pray quite often over what is written in *2 Corinthians 5:5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ.* Every thought we think must honor the Lord Jesus or be rejected. I know that I cannot bring every thought captive by myself, but with the help of the Holy Spirit I’m positive that I can. As believers, if we continually focus on God, His sovereignty, His character, His attributes, His love, His faithfulness, His grace, then Satan’s strategy to put our thought lives under his enslaving control will fail. My beloved, God wants His children to wear Armor, not shackles. Brethren, the armor of God is not designed to sit in your closet, it is time to suit up. We are called to battle. Closing thought, a knight in shining armor is a man who has never had his metal truly tested. Mine may be dented and deteriorated but it still works. Please pray for me as I pray for all those fighting similar battles. Grace and peace to you my friends. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support for the ministry activities that God has entrusted to me at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.