The heat of summer. Humidity rises and the air is thick. Breathing seems more difficult in these conditions. Sweat coats the body in a simple walk to the mail box. Summer is such an exciting season however not without its challenges and frustrations. That season when all is supposed to be well, right? Easy. But is it really? 

Life. Life has its own seasons of summer heat and heavy air. Even when it seems all is right, all is good life can carry a weight as heavy as Missouri humidity. 

Life is good. 

The job you’ve worked for…

The companion in a husband you’ve longed for…

The children you’ve prayed for…

The house you’ve dreamed for…

Amidst these blessings, something isn’t adding up. The days are still difficult and the nights are dreary as pain still lingers too close. Why is this? With blessings surrounding why isn’t life like the perfect summer vacation? Why the heat? Why the heavy weight of humidity or pain? 

Recently my husband and I have been in one of the joyful seasons of life. Excepting a little addition to our family. A time of great joy and yet this season has been filled with tremendous heat as well. Physical pain, emotional downs, breaks, blow ups, infestations, sleepless nights, little annoyances and questions. 

Several nights I ached with the overwhelming circumstances of life. I questioned God. Why now? Why in this season? Can we just get a break? Answers never really came. But each day we kept putting one foot in front of the other. Kept breathing the heavy air yet believing in the strength of our God. On my own, I would have stayed in bed. On my own, I would have failed as wife, mother and more importantly as daughter of the Most High. 

Why does life carry heavy weight? Why when life is good life also hurts? 

I don’t know the big picture but what I can see here is a crack of light. God is merciful and gracious. God is near if we want Him. 

Satan is the only true enemy. Not my husband, not my daughter, not the situations and circumstances. Satan is the roaring lion, the thief, the stealer of all things good. 

In our difficult moments, it is important to recognize theses truths. To acknowledge Satan as the disgusting enemy he is and God as the all powerful, loving King Ruler He is!

Fight back the heat with the pure control of the Father. Fight the pain, the lies, the struggles with the grace poured out. 

 

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ESV

Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. NIV

Ephesians 6:16  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. NLT

Isaiah 30:18-19 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries. NLT

Matthew 26:41 Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. NASB

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. NKJV