NEVER TOO DARK

It took me years to understand what it means to have God's mercies. So, here's what we know, "...our adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour." I Peter 5:8. What it means to be "devoured" by your adversary or enemy (the devil) is to find yourself completely consumed with grief, sorrow, trial, tribulation, etc. That's how he "devours." Ever feel that way? Ever feel like "it's always something?" That's your enemy seeking to devour you. His goal is to completely and utterly destroy you. He will use any tactic and any person to achieve his goals. He'll send people to say all the wrong things at the wrong times. He'll afflict your body with sickness and disease. He'll cause tribulation to follow you or wait around every corner. He has "little helpers." I like to call them minions. They're the ones on your job or at school that run around spreading rumors about you. They're the ones that steal your stuff. They're the ones that pretend to be your friend to your face, but will steal your mate if they get the chance. They're the ones that are ever so quick to ask you for help or to borrow something, but never have it to give when you need it. They're the ones who only call to dump on you but when you need someone to talk to, they're never there. Those are all satan's little helpers, his minions. And he uses them daily in an attempt to devour you. That's where God's mercies come in. You may not have ever given Him a thought, but He has given you one. He's the reason I haven't been consumed by all that happens to me. Yes, I struggle and suffer, but it's never more than I'm able to bear. I've glimpsed the depths of despair but God never let me stay there. It's as if He wanted me to see what I could be experiencing as opposed to what I actually am experiencing. He is merciful. All I've ever done is ask Him to help me. Deliver me. Save me. Set me free. Give me peace. Show me the way out. And He's faithful to answer every single time. Every single time. Every single time!!!!! So, today, I wept. And then I begged for mercy. So, tonight, I smile.