***

I was going to merely post this liten-linje and be done with it. But, it seemed a bit disappointing to say nothing more in a new post, especially given the dark context of this one.

This particular piece was inspired by a person close to me, who has seen me on some of my worst days and loved me through them – a sort of personal lesson to me on what a tiny, tiny fraction of God’s unconditional Love is like. This friend has repeatedly told me how angering it is to watch the devil toy with the minds and lives of people you love. You want to help them, but you cannot always do so. Perhaps that one friend or family member does not even wish to be helped. Darkness is comfortable – even Jesus mentioned in John 3 how sinners “loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (19).

‘The mind is the battleground.’ Growing up, I would hear my mother’s oft-repeated warnings, yet, years later, I find myself struggling against the all-too familiar lies:

‘You’re not worth it.’

‘You’ve messed it up…..again.’

‘You’re the problem. Why try?’

‘You’re not needed here.’

‘Failure.’

So this morning…….I got angry. Probably not angry enough, but it’s a start. And, for once, I got angry at the right individual – the doomed ringleader of the accursed. I have heard preachers say that satan will not be king of hell – no, he will suffer, and dearly at that, for millennia of tormenting lost and saved alike. And yes, he is starting to make me mad.

Humans make their own choices. I can choose what I believe. I have chosen lies for a long time. But with the Truth comes freedom (John 8:32). For once, I would like to believe Someone Who does not torment me constantly with my failures and guilt. I would like to believe a God Who died for me rather than a devil who would rip me apart, claw my being to shreds, and drag every last fragment to hell with him.

Jesus defeated satan two-thousand years ago on a Cross. Innocent Blood was shed. Jesus has Risen. The tormentor will be tormented – forever. And for the lost and broken who are sick of dreading the same end for themselves, sick of living a prelude to hell, sick of their own minds screaming at them – Freedom from torment is possible. I suppose I’ll take my leave by being predictable, but, nevertheless, real – and quoting Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:28-30:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”