I am big on the power of visualization. It’s so important when planning and building a strategy. When visualizing, you can attempt to anticipate the range of potential outcomes that may come to fruition. This significantly helps when preparing and planning ahead.
Recently, I have learned to visualize executing the most important strategy in my life – spending time with the Lord. Creating time with my maker. Participating in true dialog with the One who loves me the most.
Thankfully, a message by Louie Giglio helped me establish a powerful and impactful visualization for when I face adversity. It regularly helps me as I face challenges and makes me realize that some of life’s issues aren’t nearly as big as they may initially seem.
Psalm 23:5 tells us “You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies…”.
Although we would probably prefer to never be around enemies or have daily struggles, it is amazing to know that as we navigate it all – He is right there with us.
Life certainly has it’s curveballs and challenges:
- Daily work issues
- Death of a business deal
- Conflicts with family members
- Health issues & sickness
- Pressure packed circumstances
- Financial struggles
- Rumors being spread about you
- Relationship challenges
- Career frustrations
- Depression and anxiety
- Bondages
- Mental strongholds
- Addictions
- Unforeseen daily trials and tribulations
These are just a fraction of the daily battles we can be susceptible to facing. They often seem so big, so challenging and can often consume our thoughts. Our enemy wants us distracted, feeling defeated by these issues and as far from the presence of God as possible. Removed from His word and promises. There is a spirit of paranoia convincing that these issues are our own battles to fight and everything is against us.
Here is what we know about this table. God tells us:
1. He’s at the table with you.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
When you recognize that He is always with you, it takes a bit of the pressure off that you have no need to be fearful. You’re good. You are going to make it through the circumstance because He loves you unconditionally. Lean into Him for comfort!
2. Not everyone and everything is against us. Even if they are, they’re not going to hurt you.
Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Psalm 34:19 “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Samuel 22:3-4 “My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me. I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.”
It’s amazing the number of promises in the Bible that I tend to neglect or forget about. If I was intentional about investing more time into embracing and memorizing His word, so many of life’s big rocks wouldn’t seem half as intimidating in that specific moment. With more consistent prayer and by meditating on His word, I’m confident I would hear Him clearly on a more regular basis.
However, it’s not that easy to just sit down and enjoy the dialog at this table. The problem is there’s an enemy who is fighting as hard as he can to have a seat at the table as well. He quickly tries to deceive and maneuver to your table; distracting you from having this relationship with God.
1 Peter 5:8 discusses the importance of having control over your thoughts because Satan walks like a Lion looking to kill, steal, devour and destroy.
All Satan needs is a crevice, and the next thing we know he is pulling up a chair and sitting at your table. It literally takes a moment, and you are distracted and no longer focused on the Word of God.
How do you know if the enemy is sitting at your table?
1. You are being convinced there is something better at another table.
First off, the enemy isn’t going to show up looking all red and coming with a pitchfork.
He shows up by convincing you the grass is greener elsewhere from what you have in your life currently. The enemy will come looking like what you’re looking for, sounding like what you’re listening for, telling you what you want to hear.
He’s coming to your table to seduce you into shifting away from truth and doing your own thing for a season.
2. He is telling you you’re not going to be able to make it and you’re not good enough.
- I’ve never done enough.
- Others are much smarter than me.
- There is no hope of becoming influential.
- I’m not good enough.
He wants you discouraged and trying to fight on your own. Satan also wants you to know that you are just average. Others are much more significant and you’re going to be exposed for your mediocracy soon. Just wait!
3. You’re being told that you’re not going to survive.
- It’s not possible to get through this.
- I’m not going to make it.
- Recovery is not possible.
- It’s never going to get back to how it was.
Satan doesn’t want you to learn from your challenges and grow. Instead, He wants you to be fooled into thinking the problems you face are going to defeat you. Often times the biggest challenges are meant for us to grow. They are seasons of growth, not death sentences. Don’t believe the lies and turn your ear towards God’s promises instead of these false narriatives.
4. You tell yourself that everyone is against you.
- My family hates me.
- Friends no longer want to associate with me.
- My old co-workers, they too hated me.
It’s. All. Noise.
DON’T GIVE THE ENEMY A SEAT AT YOUR TABLE.
- Be aware and resist engaging in conversation with him, and allowing the lies to influence your reality. If you become susceptible to lending the enemy a word, all the sudden you start believing things that aren’t true and missing what is true!
- You shouldn’t focus on fighting the daily battles. All the noise is what the enemy wants you to give your attention to. Focus on fulling your destiny and what God has called you to do. Don’t give the devil a seat at the table, this is your future and opportunity.
- Don’t give in to Satan’s lies and tricks. Continue walking with God until you reach His holy table. It is there you will find what you’re looking for in great abundance — His provision.
“You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic and practicing self-control. If words control you that means everyone else can control you. Breathe and allow things to pass.”
You may be surrounded by circumstances, enemies, troubles, pressures – but God has us all protected! God has your back. Pray to Him. Speak with Him daily. Meditate on His word and allow His voice to speak to you through scripture. Don’t try to manage all the outcomes or worry about what everyone is doing. You have the King of the Universe sitting at your table with you. Enjoy His company. We have authority to proclaim in His name what He provided for us.
The main takeaway of Psalm 23 you should always remember is that GOD IS FAITHFUL. Always. Without fail. Period. That’s a promise you can count on no matter what you’re going through. His mercy and goodness will follow you all of the days of your life.
All you have to do is let Him lead you.
Engage in His presence at the table He created for you. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7