Getting the wind knocked out of you....

I remember the first time I got the wind knocked out of me. I was playing at our neighborhood playground. I had climbed way up on the metal, monkey bar contraption. I don't know how it happened or what made me fall, but all of a sudden, I am not liking gravity. I fall on my stomach on a lower bar, then flop into the sand on my back. Aeough! You can hear it, can't you? That moment when you hit and all the oxygen is sucked out of your lungs. It is terrifying. It feels like you might never breathe again. What do you do?

Life can be like this sometimes. We can be going along, having a grand time, then all of a sudden something happens to knock the wind out of us. We can have a wonderful time of morning devotions and prayer, then a child can get up whining and yelling about getting ready for school. There goes the wind! Can you feel it? You can have an amazing day at work or out with friends, then come home and a spouse can say a single sentence that brings on all kinds of emotions. Whew! I heard the oxygen leave the room that time!!!

Why is there always this constant battle between good God moments and bad, lonely, fear-filled moments? What makes anger and selfishness, bitterness and pride get in the way of a joyful day? I'll tell you what.....THE DEVIL! If God is our oxygen, the devil is the oxygen sucker. He can hone in on our fears and weaknesses and quickly take the wind right out of our sails. Don't let him do this!!!!

Every time that you feel the oxygen leave the room, ask yourself, "Why would I want the devil to take away all the glory from God right now?" Instead of letting him get you while you're down, ask God to bring you back a breathe of fresh air. He can and will do it!!! The devil will try everyday to knock the wind out of you. He doesn't want you to be filled up with God. We need oxygen to live. We need God to live right. Get up every morning ready to fight for air and ready to fight for the good that God can bring into your life if you are seeking him. Don't let the devil knock the wind out of you today!!!