Judah First

It’s really funny how many emotions a toddler can evoke in a person, in just the span of one day…heck…sometimes in just one sitting! My 2.5 year old can go from being the sweetest, cuddliest, cutest little boy one minute to being an absolute reign of terror the next….from awwww to AHHHHH in 60 seconds, or as we like to sing, “Baaaay Beeee BRAT do do do do do do!!” And another funny thing is how quickly my emotional state changes with him. Our day can start with morning cuddles and cartoons (Mama heart overflowing) but can escalate quickly into a series of temper tantrums and timeouts (and I wish it were only his behavior I’m referring to).

I can sit and rock him sometimes at night, after a long day of new grey hair growth, and be brought to tears by overwhelming feelings of gratitude as his little tiny body settles in my lap, head on my chest….then not even 60 secs later he pops his little head up and starts fighting me to get down and I feel an electrical surge go through every “over-it” nerve in my body!!!

But then, on the opposite side of that, I can be thinking to myself in one moment, “I need a break…I can’t handle this chaos anymore today….I am SO OVER-IT” and then in the very next moment (just this afternoon) he stops playing with his cars, looks up at me and says “mmmmuah”, as he leans in and gives me the sweetest little random kiss, lays his little head on my shoulder, wraps his arms around me and pats me with his little tiny fingers…..and then just goes right back to playing. * wiping a tear * It’s like he just needed that little grounding moment to reconnect…or maybe he just had a little divine intuition that I did?!

Having a toddler is a roller coaster of emotions but overall, at the end of every day, I am so incredibly thankful for every moment I have with him!!

When I examine all the different things going on in the world these days…..It only takes me a minute to realize just how beautifully blessed, beyond measure, that I truly am!!! It’s so tempting to get distracted by and focused on all the chaos, the negativity, and uncertainties that surround us day to day, but I understand fully why God says “above all else, guard your heart”. (Proverbs 4:23) We can’t allow the chaos around us to rob us of (or control) the calm within us.

Easier said than done though, right?! Well here’s something to consider…

My oldest son and I were talking not too long ago about how our mind and our emotions are the enemy’s favorite point of attack…”ground zero”. However, I believe we give too much credit to the enemy for the struggles we face day to day, or the “series of unfortunate events” that sometimes develop in our lives. I know that with every challenge that comes my way, my first thought always goes to “I’m under attack”. Well, I still believe this is true, HOWEVER, I don’t think the weapons being used are the unfortunate events themselves, I think that’s just life happening and those are going to occur regardless. No, I believe that the real attacks are on our mental and emotional state through the use of a weapon called “perception”. I believe the enemy wields the weapon of perception against us in effort to alter the way we view the situations around us, creating a false appearance that ultimately leads to anger, disappointment, resentment, fear and/or failure…and if left undefended….hopelessness. God tells us that He is working ALL things for our good. (read that sentence again) God tells us that the weapon of TRUTH (his word) will set us FREE.

Well guess who’s on the opposing side of truth and freedom?! I don’t believe the enemy is always responsible for the creation of the challenges and struggles we face, sometimes that’s just life, human error, but I do believe that if he can alter how we perceive our challenges (mentally and emotionally) then he will continue to prod at us until we finally react/respond in a way that is more of a reflection of HIS character (which is never a very flattering look on anyone)….then his goal is accomplished and he begins to take his victory lap.

But wait…..what if we “flip the script”?!

What if we chose to praise in the face of our struggle?! What if we approach our challenges with an attitude of gratitude instead of frustration and despair?! What if we let Judah go first!!! Now let me explain what I mean by that.

In the Bible (Judges 20:18) ‘The Israelites went up to Bethel and asked God, “Who of us (the twelve tribes) is to go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” The Lord replied, “Judah shall go first.” ‘

This finally makes since to me. Judah is the Hebrew word for “Praise”. All throughout the Bible we’re told to praise God in our storms. Praise the Lord in the heat of the battle. “Rejoice…again I say Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Over and over we’re taught to let our praise go first. Let your Judah go first!!

The enemy expects us to despair or cower in the face of our trials, in the midst of our struggles and challenges…the last thing he expects is for us to do is PRAISE. This is a very alarming and DIS-arming response to an open attack! Our enemies have no idea what to do with that, except to flee!

My point…..PRAISE moves the focus away from the storm and places it on the peace. Jesus said, “I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life.” The difference is Jesus. So when you can’t change your situation, ask God to change your perspective.

Depression has no room in a thankful heart, and the enemy has no idea what to do with a heart full of PRAISE in the face of an attack. GAME CHANGER!!

So what if you and I stop complaining and worrying about the things that we cannot control and instead start PRAISING God because HE already has it handled!!!

Let’s let Judah go first!!

Stay authentic my friends,
Crystal