We Will Survive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZR64EF3OpA

I love the Wizard of Oz and all the characters! Dorothy, The Tin Man, The Scarecrow, The Cowardly Lion. As I read Gigi's blog this morning, I got to thinking. We can all find ourselves in those characters sometimes. Cowardly lion? Nah! Not anymore!

I used to be the one who was bothered by what people thought of me. And I have 2 friends who are "people pleasers", and they've told me they have a hard time when someone says unkind things to them or blames them for something. One is a christian -- one is not. Both struggle with always feeling they have to please everyone.

Sure, when someone says something unkind to me it does hurt my feelings. But it doesn't stay with me because I know where it comes from. It comes from the "man behind the curtain". He's always behind every conflict known to man, and he enjoys every minute . His name is satan.

I have been praying for everyone in our development for over 2 years now and have come to realize that all the bickerings going on between neighbors come from him. There is no way he's going to go down without a fight, and he has determined he's going to keep my neighbors from finding the Lord. He hates God so much that he's working "behind the curtain" and thinks he has everyone fooled and that he's in control. But just as in the Wizard of Oz, satan is NOT in control. God Almighty has full control of this world, and if by my speaking to my neighbors about Christ and what He means to me and just being their friend is going to get satan upset, well then, so be it. I'll take the hurt feelings on the chin and keep praying for them all.

Satan will try anything and everything to get you down and keep you quiet. Don't let him trample your spirit. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! Just keep looking up and watch out for those flying monkeys!!