Hiding in the big picture

    Is it just me or does anyone else out there have a hard time forgiving themselves for past mistakes? I know the right things to say and how to be filled with compassion and reassurance for others. Actually, I think it's one of my strongest attributes. Still, when it comes to the same kind of encouragement and forgiveness for myself, waves of "Oh my gosh I can't believe that happened!! Or "Why did I do that?!" continue to come crashing in long after the original mistake. In fact, I even tend to beat myself up for circumstances beyond my control!

    I know all of this is a terrible waste of time and energy and yet I seem incapable of convincing my subconscious mind that what is done is done. It should be simple, right? I have processed the moment. I have asked for forgiveness. No matter how insignificant the past issue, doubt remains.

    After oodles of prayer and self analysis I had a revelation;

    At times such as this, I can't seem to do what God has already done. When mistakes of yesterday or situations of decades past occupy my brain and haunt my soul, I don't believe it's God who asks over and over again, "What were you thinking?" Instead, I think it's the devil in disguise saying, "Think about this!"

    I swear, Satan, spotting you is like searching through a book of Where's Waldo. You are always somewhere hiding in the big picture.

    I am convinced, we must keep our eyes open and stay aware of the fact that evil is very real and will try anything to stand in the way of God's love for us. There is a lot going on in this world, our lives are filled with opportunities for the devil to be at work.

    Nice try Satan, Get thee behind me!

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SCRIPTURALLY SPEAKING:

2 Corinthians 5:17-18
7 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,

1 Peter 5:8
8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Ephesians 6:10-17
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

New American Standard Bible