in a recent small chat with Satan…

My dear friend Satan,

I feel like I really need to have a good chat with you. It’s been a long time since we’ve talked. Oh, I know what you’re thinking, “What? We’ve spent a lot of time together lately”. Yeah, but you know, you were the one doing all the talking. I don’t think you can really count that as a conversation. I think it’s time for me to give you a piece of my mind. Yeah, uhuh, go ahead and sit down, I have a lot to say to you my friend.

I think I should start by thanking you. I mean you’ve really helped me a lot lately. You’ve been right there when I needed you. For instance, you’ve pointed out areas that I was doing really bad in, like when I wasn’t reacting lovingly to some situations that were coming up, when I wasn’t putting enough quality and planning into my times with my kids, you also dropped a lot of hints about how often I forgot to ask the Lord before I did things and made plans. That was good stuff. You were right and I’m so thankful that you mentioned those things. Even though I got bad vibes off of you about them, kind of like feeling that you really wanted me to feel bad about them, and like you thought I couldn’t possibly change or turn around in any of those areas and do the right thing or make them better… well you know, when I talked to my husband about those bad vibes he just said that’s kind of the way you are and it comes with your job and thankfully I was able to rise above those vibes and move on to take the right steps to knock off my bad behavior.

You really do help me get stronger. You’re such a good friend and such a faithful trainer. You never let me slack off and whenever I’m getting flabby in a certain area or I really don’t want to work-out you always come a long and push me. When I’m doing better you push me harder. Thanks Satan, with your help I’m really working out and getting stronger. I think I’m actually bulking up in some previously very flabby areas!

Not to mention how much you’ve helped me in the endurance department! And with cardio! I mean you really know how to work out my heart. You don’t play around. You know my soft spots better then I do and you force me to toughen them. You don’t let me off with just stretches, not that stretching isn’t helpful; that’s really good for me of course. But when you force me to work out my heart, wow, you really get me going. But my husband seems to be really proud of me for that one. He said he really likes watching me run. In fact he thinks I can win any race. He actually said he thinks I was born for it. When I told him that you make me run with really heavy weights and that it’s not so fun he replied “Honey, but that’s so good for you, and when they come off you’re gonna fly! And you’re gonna look and feel so good too!” I loved the look of pride on his face when he said that. I love it when he’s proud of me. So thanks again, you played a part by helping me prove myself and make my husband proud of me and nothing makes me happier than that.

I do feel kind of bad for you though. With all this attention you’ve been showering on me and all the extra obstacle courses you’ve been building for me, with the extra time you’ve been putting into training me, -I’ve been noticing you’ve been looking a little weak and sickly yourself. You seem to be getting thinner and weaker all the time. I mean are you okay? You look a little pale and washed-out. You’re not as strong as I once thought you were. Meanwhile I’ve been getting leaner, fitter, and stronger all the time. I’m starting to see that I’m a lot stronger and more powerful than you are. I mean thanks for the focus and all, but hey, if you need a break and wanna work on yourself for a little while, that’s cool with me. I do like a contest and I don’t know if I’m going to feel very challenged when you and I are paired up for our kick-boxing lessons next week. It might get a little boring for me. I mean, I feel bad saying this cuz I know it’s not like you can do anything about it or help yourself -being the runt of the angel family and all. I guess you’re sort of used to your puniness by now, which is why I guess you always talk so loud. “Brains not brawn, brains not brawn” you’re probably repeating to yourself. Well, whatever works man, I guess. Cuz I do need you around. Like I said, you’re a help and all.

Back on the subject of being a help, remember when you pointed out how my pride was getting out of check? You were so right about that! Thanks. I was able to talk to my husband about it and he confirmed that you were correct. Even though I got those bad vibes from you again when you pointed it out to me he reminded me how good it was that you helped me notice that before it affected any of my loved ones. And then he wiped away all those bad feelings of condemnation and I got over it right then. He was proud of me for that too. You know, you’re the kind of friend who’s just so good for my marriage. But hey, what are friends for?

What I really appreciate about your friendship though is that you are always there for me when I need you most. Like for example, remember the other day when I was feeling very hurt and vulnerable and you sent your friends over just to help me? Yeah, that’s right those Demons of Depression guys. Uhuh. Well it was so cool cuz they started sympathizing with how depressing everything could be. Then they kind of pointed out how I’m not really a positive person by nature and how I can be negative with just a moment’s notice. I think they also said it would be easy for me if I wanted to get into their depression thing with them. Somehow though the very thought of that just immediately jogged my brain and made me alert to the fact that people don’t like being around negative, depressed, complainers and reminded me of the resolution I had made to think only positive thoughts and to be content in any state or situation that I am in and how much that helps my friends and loved ones to be happy around me and to enjoy my company so much more. Wow. Thanks to your little friends attempts at depression I was so much more motivated to praise the Lord after that. Again, I think my husband sure has noticed and I can tell he likes me this way. He said that somehow it always works out for him to be able to hang out with me a lot more when I’m feeling positive and thankful. It seems to be working out for my friends too.

You know, about my friends, you also kind of got me started thinking critical thoughts about them recently. Remember when you were talking about them the other day and you were pointing out some bad stuff? I didn’t think you were being so nice, but I guess I did listen to you. You almost had me convinced they were some pretty bad guys. I’m so glad you encouraged me to take a closer look at them and see what I could notice. Boy did that work wonders! The closer I looked the more I saw these cool things that they were doing. Man these friends of mine are incredible. I looked around and saw a lot of loving people going out of their way for each other, caring for each other, watching each other’s backs, picking up the slack for each other, and just genuinely loving each other. -Even me. They are always doing things that make my life happier, richer and easier. How did I end up so privileged to share my life with such a sacrificial bunch? They’re so deep too. I can hardly begin to talk to any of them without getting into these really fun, deep, rich, spiritual conversations. I’m just amazed by them. And when I look closer and see what each one does each day, I realize they are just doing all these incredibly self-less, world-changing things. Most of my friends also work full-time for my husband. Wow. I owe them a lot of love and gratitude. See? You’re good! You really are! You tricked me into seeing all kinds of good things I wasn’t seeing before. You got me noticing! Thanks Satan. Man you’re good at what you do.

Oh, and then your most recent move was classic! Don’t blush! Remember how you pointed out to me about these 6 pounds I have gained lately. No you don’t remember? How could you forget? You told me right to my face that I was looking fat and flabby around the waist. You were kind of blunt when you said that I had been lazy and on my butt a lot lately and not very determined to work out. I think you even told me I was ugly and nothing special. Does that ring a bell? Well, yeah, you did kind of hurt my feelings and made me feel bad. I even started wondering how many people besides you have noticed. I have to admit I really started questioning your friendship then. I mean what kind of friend is so mean and blunt and so fickle over something as small as 6 pounds up. Don’t you think you could just overlook that and be nice anyway? But then I realized, well “A true friend tells you when you have spinach stuck between your teeth”. And that’s just the kind of friend you are Satan. Plus, you were right anyway. I had been crowding exercise time out of my life by letting meetings go over-time, stopping to do “one more thing”, continually putting exercise off till later, and lots more excuses and stuff were keeping me from getting off my butt and working out. You know, way beyond weight-maintenance I was just starting to feel unhealthy. You reminded me why I love exercising anyway –all the stress and tension it releases; the balance it brings to my life; the self-discipline; the sweet release of good-feelings-endorphins; etc. Not to mention that it’s part of my husband’s mantra for happy living and what he has prescribed for me too. So thanks again. I’m back on the road running again and Pilates has never felt so good in my life. Thanks man. I owe you big time for that one.

Another thing about that last lesson you taught me was that I was thinking how I’ve been having some of the best times of my life lately. I’ve been growing in my friendships and enjoying life so much and loving the people around me more lately than ever. Maybe it’s all in my mind, but I think I’ve also noticed my husband’s love and attention a little extra lately. So that just reminded me of one more thing which is that no amount of pounds need come between me and happiness. Thanks Satan, you have helped remind me of what my husband had said about physical flaws not needing to mar my life or relationships with others. He swore to love me through thick and thin anyway and he’s certainly done a good job proving that. Unlike you, he never notices the extra pounds as long as I’m happy and bubbly and willing to enjoy life with Him. Actually He loves it most when I eat, drink and am merry with him! So thanks to you I can resolve that extra pounds need never stand between me and any of my friendships or opportunities, nor need I ever let them hinder my life or happiness. I’m at my best when I’m happy - and happy I will be! –Wow. What a relief. I feel so free. Thanks for helping me resolve that!

You know, you’ve actually helped me take a look at my life as a whole recently. I’d been giving into a lot of stress and pressure and I think it had kind of started ruining me. I was looking at things all wrong, I know that now. I was thinking of my work –the sheer volume of it, the demands of my home-life, the needs of my children, the pressures of the day, and the problems that always need attention, prayer and solving, etc. And I was thinking, “man, these things are really pricking me, when are they going to ease up or go away?” That kind of made me wonder if I needed a new life or a new job or a new situation. Did I need a way out? And if so, what would be the perfect change? The right questions to ask of course were: What job would I love to have? What home would I love to live in? What situation do I want for my kids? What life do I want to live? You know you really, really got me thinking hard. I did some serious research. You know what? Your little dissatisfaction and stress-beyond-measure ploy helped lead me to some great conclusions. You wanna know Satan what the answer to all those questions are? MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE!

Yeah, that’s right!

I love my job! –It’s the only job in the whole world that I would want to have.
I love my home! –It’s the only home in the whole world I would want to live in!
I love it! –My kids have the best situation, the best care, the most love, the happiest lives, the best teachers, the best education, all their needs! I wouldn’t want it any other way!
I love my life! –I want to live this life forever!

Thanks for helping me identify these things about myself and my life and my wonderful husband. You really are a dear friend Satan. Thank you for all the ways you enhance my life.

You know my husband was right about you. You really are good for us. Please, feel free to stick around.

As long as I can do all the talking we’re gong to have a long and fruitful relationship.

**

1 Peter 4:12, Ephesians 6 , Pro. 16:4, Jam. 2:19, Lk. 10:17, Lk. 10:19, Rom. 16:20, Mat 4:10, Mk. 8:33, I Jn. 2:1, Rev. 12:10
Jesus: Use My words to you here and quote them to yourself until you believe it, or at least act on it even if you don’t believe it. Pump yourself up and tell the Enemy: “I’m a seasoned veteran of many battles. I’ve fought you time and again, you dirty Devil, and I’ve won all those times‚ and I’m going to win this time too. You can’t surprise me, you can’t shock me, you can’t overwhelm me, and you most certainly can’t defeat me. I’ve felt your nasty attacks before and Jesus helped me through. I have a definite plan of attack and I’m going to engage you and your forces now, and you’ll lose just as you did before.”
You’re a hardcore threat to Satan’s realm, you’re on his most–wanted list, and he’s offering big rewards for your spiritual capture, dead or alive. You’re tough, you’re mighty in the spirit, because you have Me, and because you’ve yielded and you’ve given and you’ve done your best to fight time and again.

“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!” (Eph.6:10)