New Level New Devil: Know How to Spot these Traps!
Have you ever noticed how much adversity you face when you try to do something new?
Maybe today for you it’s a new fitness goal, a new job, or even trying a new workout. Maybe you’re trying to adopt new habits, whatever it is, remember this phrase, new level new devil.
Think about it, you’re doing something new, and you feel like everything is coming against you, or people are trying to make you feel like you aren’t good enough, you don’t know what you’re doing, or you’re going to fail, or what about when your worst critic is living right between your two ears?
This is a stomp, your Holy foot pep talk, take yourself to the next level, and own your space… you are God’s property kind of moment.
Let’s begin this blog with a story!
My friend really wanted a new job, she trained hard for it, and she got it, but she noticed the women there didn’t really like her, they talked about her behind her back- they made her doubt herself, but the customers started asking for her they even wrote 5 Star reviews about her…
This made my friend's new boss mad, so she made my friend’s job hard and gave her extra work. She demanded way more from her than the other girls, and she made her feel like she really wasn’t her first choice.
So the first few days, my friend would drive to work questioning her ability. She felt anxious. But through prayer, she recognized this was not about the boss, this was about the enemy trying to keep her from her calling. So she fought through fear, anxiety, doubt, and caring what someone else thought becasue she knew God made her to do this.
She won because she let God fight her battle!
When we’re doing something new, there’s going to be a new level of discomfort, it’s unfamiliar, it’s unknown, and it can be made worse when we question ourselves or when we feel the sting of rejection or someone talking behind our back, or making us feel like we aren’t good enough.
I have a question for you sister…are you trying to do something new and do you need to let God fight your battle too?
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13 NIV)
Thinking and Speaking Fit Thoughts
Everything starts with your thoughts. They have the power to make or break your new goals. Did you know the voice you listen to the most is your own? For this reason, it’s vital to speak God’s truth over yourself continually. Watch out for thoughts that are negative, sabotaging, based on other people’s opinions, or based on unresolved shame or guilt. Thinking and speaking what I call Fit Thoughts is to think and speak Godly thoughts. They line up with the Word, they lead to wholeness, and they are revealed to us through the Holy Spirit, which is also called the Spirit of Truth.
I will give you the 5 Ds to test your thoughts against!
Get out your journal and make sure you write these down because these not always-so-obvious sabotagers need to be pointed out!
5 Ds to Test Your Thoughts Against
Doubt, Discouragement, Diversion, Defeat, Delay.
Source: NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale 2012)
God is our living hope, sisters. We need to have intentional moments when we speak aloud.. like my friend, and say, No, I know who I am, I know God made me to do this, I will not question God’s call on my life, and I will not let the devil use Doubt, Discouragement, Diversion, Defeat, or a Delay, to stop me.
Where does this adversity come from?
When you’re trying to go to a new level, remember, you have an adversary.
1 Peter 5:8-9 tells us…
Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters worldwide. [You do not suffer alone.]
So when you face any of these 5 Ds, remember, it’s not your boss or the people who talk about you behind your back or even your own thoughts.
We can’t fight a spiritual battle with fleshly weapons… we need to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. If you’re unfamiliar with the armor of God, Read Ephesians 6:10-18.
Paul says we must “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). It is our job to stand aside and let God fight the battle for us, and only then are we sure to win.
Just like my friend, she recognized the battle wasn’t personal it was spiritual.
The devil does not want you shining in your God-given gifts, sister!
Before you go, I think you might need a friend to tell you this; let me be that friend.
- No one is better than you. It doesn’t matter how many degrees, followers, or how much money someone has, they can never be you, and you can never be them. God only made one you, and there will never be another you again. Be you, to the max, and let your authentic Jesus-loving self shine your light bright!
- Stop doubting your gifts and calling! The devil will use people to make you doubt your gift. People will be threatened by your gift, and the devil will use them to talk you out of it, question it, and make you quit.
- If people make you feel less than, remember who you are in Christ and that their need to make you feel small comes from them, not you. Its a them problem, not a you problem. The devil uses people to discourage you to stop you.
- Delays and tests are the battlegrounds of diversion, don’t get distracted or defeated. You’ll have to take the test until you pass, so pass it and move to the next level.
- Don’t let your worst enemy live between your two ears. When you sense an attack, measure your thoughts! What does the Word say about this? How does God see me? What advice would I give my best friend or child if they felt this way?
Bonus tip!
We are the body of Christ. We are here to serve through our gifts, and some people are EDR: extra grace required. Love them anyway because the battle isn’t between you and them …. it’s the devil trying to stop God’s plan for your life.
I added the 5 Ds in my new book Fit Gods Way! Make sure to preorder your copy everywhere books are sold.
Let me Pray for you, Sister…
Dear God,
Right now, sisters are suffering. They are doubting, they're discouraged. They have diversions and delays, and the devil is using all his tactics to come against them God, I pray in this moment that you give them the mind of Christ. There is no confusion when we are in, Jesus. Renew their mindset. Refresh their spirit. In you, they can do what they could never do alone. They can be bold and have wisdom, strength and grace for the day. Father God, I pray a blessing over my sisters and the gifts that you've given them that they would shine their light so bright, that people would want to know you because they know them.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Faith Fuel
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call].” Romans 11:29
“Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” Proverbs 4:26-27
“In the day when I cried out, You answered me and made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalms 138:3
I also want to leave you with a song to build those faith muscles: You can’t stop me! By Andy Mineo
Isn’t that song awesome?! Share this blog with a sister today.
Remember you are Strong. Confident. His!
