Sometimes, there may be days when the spiritual, emotional, and physical battles can lead me to say, “I can understand why people walk away from Christianity.”
It is an important point for me that understanding the why doesn’t mean it is a choice I’ll ever make. What understanding it can lead to is tremendous sadness that the witness I have committed to live as a Christian may be lacking. It can lead to a deeper compassion for others who are struggling.
We all need to more fully understand what Christianity is, according to God’s definition, not the opinion of man that can and has, in some places, led to a Christianity far different than what Jesus and the Apostles taught. And yet, the Church, the representation of Christianity, is the Bride of Christ, and who am I focus on only the negative and none of the positive things the Church provides for the world.

That is a major part of my reflection today. The importance of taking responsibility for myself, for my actions. For making appropriate changes as needed.

Yes, part of the wonder of the Bible is its adaptability to a changing world. But the core values are clear, and if we as individuals lose sight of the reality that we all sin and need repentance, that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, that God is love, and even in our most dismal moments, that love continues, then discouragement can settle in.

The enemy, Satan, doesn’t care if we know the Bible. It doesn’t bother him at all. He doesn’t care that we know the regiments of the religious organizations. Doesn’t care that we donate money to good causes or do good deeds for our fellow man. Like God, the enemy cares about the ‘why’ in our actions. If we take on being a god in our world, as the serpent enticed Eve to do, the enemy rejoices. When we make those choices, we lose the connection with God, that is our protection, our provision, and our peace. And that is what the enemy relishes. That point where we want the gifts of God and not God. The point where we decide that the right solution is to walk toward anything that can draw us away from our professed belief that made us Christians. The enemy will attempt anything, even good things, to distract us from a full relationship, a submission, and acceptance of the good and hard things that will happen to us as individuals, but under the Lordship of Jesus, lead to ultimate good.

After a day of spiritual and physical struggles yesterday, I went to bed exhausted. I woke up today with a beautiful sense of being loved. That is a precious thing. To know that even when we overthink things, doubt things, and dwell on our unworthiness and not His love, the reality is that His mercies are new each morning.

This morning, I spoke aloud, “We’re still friends,” grinning like a kid. “Thank you, Lord, for your love. With that security, I can do all things.”

I pray the same for you, my friends. – Vicki