update and a spiritual principal

First a quick update... I am still cigarette free! God is so good! The past week has been for many reasons one of the most stressful weeks I have had in years. Yet though even that God has been faithful to uphold me and keep me from even experiencing major craving. So I am praising Him for His faithfulness and stand in awe of the truth "when the Lord sets you free you are free indeed"!

Now for my thoughts on a spiritual principal or truth that I had not understood before and to be honest never even gave thought to... for the past several days there has been, like I mentioned above, a lot of additional stress in my life due to a specific incident that transpired last week. the other day when driving home from work and praying about this and in the course of my conversation with God I was mulling this all over I realized something that was quit shocking. Now several days later I realize it should not be shocking to me but it was. I realized that what was happening was part of a larger spiritual battle that was taking place and in one fell swoop it had transformed from just the spiritual to a physical manifestation of a real life incident where "my enemies" were all clearly tipping their hands in a huge way. Now let me clarify here that these are individuals none of whom are Christians and who I have always seen more as a thorn in my side. you know the kind who just always seems to be on the other side of almost every issue and just tend to rub you the wrong way. But nevertheless I had never put the label of "enemy" on them. Until now. Now, through this, I truly see them for what they are according to scripture. I also see God's hand of protection through this situation. So my question was in that moment of enlightenment, is there some principle of God's love and protection at work in my life? Does God really do that? you know the vanquishing the foe thing? isn't that what He does when they stand before Him in the day of judgement? Is not the promises of vengeance reserved for after the great battle in revelations? I was more than a little "in fear of the Lord" that evening as I tried to come to grips with this. I even made a few calls to "Godly men of Wisdom" asking them about this spiritual principal theory. It was interesting though that as I tried to explain to them what I was seeing or thought I was seeing that it was almost like they had blinders on and did not hear or see what I was talking about. I love these men and hold them in high regard and value their council yet I hung up from the calls and surrendered to God and said OK, this is between us isn't it... you are not allowing me to articulate to them so they have understanding of this are you? I realized there was more than one principal of my faith playing out before me now. God has me in a very real spiritual training program that is the most amazing thing. I could not have even imagined such a thing before... I want to shout from the roof tops and write it all down so I never forget. yet every time I try to put it to words it just comes out garbled and not making sense... So I would ask that you keep me in prayer. That I be open to and willing to listen and learn. to keep my eyes and ears wide open so I don't miss anything God is tryin to teach me.

Psalm 34:4-7 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

hummmmm well I don't know about you, but this pretty much answered my question... God is so awesome! It truly is better than any princess fairy tale of the knight in shinning armor come to rescue his princess from the evil forces. Do you ever wonder where those stories got started? LOL.