Get Behind Me Satan, We're Coming Through!

My brain works in a very methodical manner sometimes. I guess that's what you would call it. Perhaps you could call it linear thinking. All I know is that in my mind things belong in a straight row.  Things must be categorized, grouped, or neatly arranged for it to make sense and for my brain to be able to function properly. I say properly because it can function regardless but it it's not firing on all cylinders if you know what I mean.

Behold Exhibit A:

The extra napkins in my glove compartment needed to be organized into groups.
They were all in disarray and were begging me to save them!

I know I can't be the only person who does this? Maybe I am, maybe I'm in a category all by myself. Anyways, this is the way my brain works. It organizes, it categorizes, it analyzes. I will say for me it has great benefits! I usually always know where something is because it has a specific place and I put it back in its place when I'm done with it. Everything is neatly arranged so the presentation is pleasing to the eye. I have things planned in much advance because I'm often looking to the future so I know how I can be best prepared for it.

On the contrary, I have a part of my brain that over analyzes and tends to overthink things. I've always explained it away, I just can't help it. This is the way I am and I can't change my personality. This type of thinking is dangerous. 

I believe that just as God knows our strengths and our weaknesses, Satan does too. And where God will help us use both of those to do good and can use both for his glory, Satan has a different plan. He is "the father of lies" and he is going to take our weakness and expose them. He is going to make us feel that we can't overcome, he is going to silently whisper in our minds, "You just aren't cut out for this. You can't possibly do all this. You're just not good enough for this. You were foolish to think you could do this." He is masterful. He methodically uses everything he can to his advantage. He waits until you are a little too tired, a little too overwhelmed, a little too stressed, and then he lowers the BOOM! Just when you thought you couldn't take anymore, here it is and he rocks your world.

Friends, he has done it to me time and time again. My overthinking self lets him come in and take over. He becomes my inner monologue, he becomes my negative self-talk. He reminds me of all the things I can't overcome, all the obstacles that I'm facing by MYSELF.  It dawned on me one day, he's right. Yep, I said it the devil is right. I can't do things on my own, there are obstacles that are too big for me to handle. I'm not strong enough to make it through.  But here's where he is wrong...you know I couldn't let the devil stay right, didn't you?! He's wrong because I'm not alone. I'm not by myself. I have my God and my God is big, and strong, and mighty. My God has the power and he has already overcome. So no matter the challenge, the obstacle, the problem all I have to say is...

Get behind me Satan, we're coming through!

"The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." John 10:10