“But the word of God continued to increase and spread.” (Acts 12: 24)
This account in Acts could not have come at a better time for me. On August 6, I will be taking my older four children to Haiti on a mission’s trip. When I heard about the trip, I knew that I was supposed to take my children to share the love of Christ with the Haitian orphans. I was elated as I thought about the trip and how it would transform our family. Financial support soared in for us. We raised money beyond the amount that we need to go on this trip. Again, I was struck with the certainty that God wants us there.
However, as time gets closer, my old buddy, FEAR, has crept in. What if something happens to us? What if we get malaria? Typhoid fever? What if we have a horrible reaction to the vaccines or to the malaria medicine? What if something happens to my two youngest children while they remain at home with their grandparents? What if? What if?? What if??? I am plagued with these!
The enemy is so real. Satan seeks to steal and to destroy. The last thing that Satan wants is for our family to go to Haiti and spread the word of God. He will do whatever he can to try and mess with my mind. And he has chosen to dredge up my old pattern – anxiety. When God calls His people, Satan goes on the warpath. Our family has a target on our backs (although in this case, my target is my mind). I am comforted though, knowing that God is bigger than the Satan. God ultimately has the victory. How thankful I am!
So it is not by accident that my passage for the day is from Acts 12. God’s word will increase and spread, and Satan truly can’t stop that from happening. Just like God sent an angel to free Peter from prison so that Peter could keep evangelizing, God will be my Protector and my Defender. I do not have to fear. God wants me to cast my anxiety on Him because He cares for me. How great it is to serve a God so powerful and loving.
Lord, I thank You for Your call to our family to go to Haiti. May we be lights for You to the people there. I pray that You would cover our family with the blood of Jesus. Please bind Satan, Lord, so that he cannot flood my mind with fear. Lord, You love my children more than I do. Please hold tightly to them as we embark on this journey for You. What an honor it is, Lord, to be able to serve You. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen
If I may so boldly ask, would you, my friends, please pray for our family? Our mission’s trip goes from August 6 – August 13.
Suzie (suzielawyer)
Sixty-six books in a year 