Satan is out to get the children of God.

Temptation, Intimidation, Seduction.

He knows our Achilles heel, our vulnerable spots. Without shame satan probes and picks to bring us down. A word here a remark there and down we go, sliding without warning from the mountain peak to valley below. Wondering what hit us, oft doubting our salvation, we languish in a sea of despair. Satan has us where he wants us - until we come to the end of ourselves and cry out for mercy. Tattered and bruised we regain strength and seek His forgiveness for doubting, fearing or ever questioning who and what we are in our Messiah. We have been shown areas in our life that are less than 'spritual'. Repenting in sackcloth and ashes we arise with resolve and determination that, with His help, we will be better than we were before we hit the bump in the road, knocking us to our knees. We must recognize our power is limited and without Him, we are NOTHING and we can do NOTHING. We must accept that our salvation is not a reward, but a gift - His gift to us. We can't earn it and we certainly don't deserve it.

God often uses the schemes of the enemy to teach and to train His sheep.  Painful, oh yes, temporarily debilitating - sometime, but always necessary if we are to grow and be conformed to His image.

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11

""Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. ..." Job 5:17

"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent His rebuke..." Proverbs 3:11

It's been a hard week - my wounds are beginning to heal.