II Thessalonians 2:15-17, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”

Did you ever watch the movie Bambi? Remember the part in the movie when the hunters were coming, and all the animals were hiding? There were a couple pheasants in the tall grass, and one of them was so nervous. She kept saying, “I have to fly! I have to fly!” The other bird was trying to calm her down, but she kept getting more and more nervous. At last she couldn’t stand it any longer, and she flew up in the air (and was shot by a hunter).

Be honest, have you ever felt like that pheasant? I have. There are times in my life when I just want to RUN. I want to get out. Life gets stressful, disappointing, difficult. I just want to go far away and start again. Can you relate? I’ll be so honest to say, there have been days that I have wanted to leave my home, my family, my church, my job, my ministry, my town, my state! Maybe, if I am willing to be painfully honest, than we can all admit that EVERYONE feels that way at times. No, you aren’t a horrible person or a loser or a quitter because you have thoughts about running away. You are human.

Life is hard. Our journey through life will sometimes take us through deep valleys. One day you look around and wonder if the whole world has been turned upside-down. “Is everybody crazy but me, or am I the crazy one?” (Don’t answer that, please!) But the Bible has the answer for times like these. I especially love two phrases in the passage (above) II Thes. 2:15-17. They are: stand fast and stablish you. When times get really tough, the Lord wants us to stand fast. Stand still. Don’t run. He promises to comfort us and establish us. What a wonderful Heavenly Father!

I would like to take a few weeks to discuss how we can stand fast in difficult times of life. This week I want to talk about recognizing a plot of Satan.

THE DEVIL IS A DRAMA QUEEN! (Yes, technically that would be “king,” but roll with it.)

Let’s refuse to allow ourselves get wrapped up in Satan’s exaggerations. He wants to make dark days look even darker. He’ll try to convince you to believe lies by whispering this word in your ear: EVERYBODY.

  • Everybody is losing their job.
  • Everybody is getting divorced.
  • Everybody is leaving your church.
  • Everybody has stopped winning souls to Christ.
  • Everybody has dropped their standards.
  • Everybody is moving away.
  • Everyone is getting cancer.
  • Everyone is dying!

If these thoughts seem to be in your mind a lot, stop a minute, tell the Devil that he is such a Drama Queen, and refuse to believe it. God is not whispering that in your ear. No, that doesn’t even sound like Him. God doesn’t talk to us about everybody else. He talks to us personally, about us. In fact, this sounds more like what the Holy Spirit would say:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. – Ephesians 6:10.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. –Phil. 4:8

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. –Romans 8:37

The Lord is for us! He is walking us through the valley. He will never leave us. He is NOT telling us that ‘everybody’ is doing something negative, and we should join them! (Drama Queen Devil)

Be strong in Christ’s power and STAND FAST when you want to run! There is sunshine up ahead. Let’s stay the course. Don’t quit. Don’t run away. Victory is ours through Jesus!

Let’s keep talking on this topic next week. Have a great week, Friends!