Every once in a while, there are days that just seem to get the best of you. Everything, and
sometimes everyone, seems to be going against you. Your car breaks down, you were late to
work, you spilled coffee on your favorite shirt, something is going on between family members
or friends, your paycheck was a lot less this week, you forgot to pay a bill and now you have to
pay extra. The list could go on and on.

Sometimes we feel that we are one card away from our house of cards caving in.
We allow people and our circumstances to steal our joy, hope, and peace.
In those circumstances, sometimes we allow the enemy to slip in and sow seeds of doubt and
worry, leading us into a spiral of negative thinking.

In these times, we mustn’t let things get to us. We should hand everything over to God, trusting
that He is in control and that the enemy has no power over us. I understand, more than anyone,
that all of this is easier said than done. There are many days that I have felt like it was easier to
give up than to try my best. When we are faced with different trials and adversities, we must
remember these two verses.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Today, join with me in standing on the promises of God and not allowing your circumstances to
define you. Instead of allowing your circumstances to steal your joy, hope, and peace, look to
the Father, pray and submit to Him, and tell the enemy ‘Not today!’

-- Melody Barney