Blessings or Curses - Jewell Utt

The beautiful month of November is here, filled with a vast array of color and crisp weather to kick-off the Thanksgiving season. Though each day should be filled with thanks to God for all His gifts—especially salvation—we tend to overlook the plentiful blessings of everyday life.  

My obvious blessings this month include a published book, encouraging people to slow down and reflect on God. It points out common behaviors found in humans and birds. Unfortunately, this time of celebration has been filled with anxiety and investigation, due to harassment by a then unknown source.

It’s the anti-social nature of social media.

What should have been one of my fondest months, having accomplished a lifetime dream, was tainted by Satan and his destructive schemes. It’s funny because the overriding theme of the book is to see our behavior in a new light, and change it for the better. But inciting poor behavior is Satan’s goal.

Satan hides in the darkness and stirs others to do the same. His purpose is to disrupt our peace and rob our joy. Though the month did not turn out as I had hoped, I learned a valuable lesson, one it has taken me a lifetime to understand. People are dangerous, jealous and unpredictable. Beware!

So how do you restore trust when things go awry?

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23.

• No one can rob your joy unless you allow it. And that is giving them and circumstances too much power. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 26:3:
  • God will keep us in a perfect state of peace, IF
  • we trust in HIM, and
  • keep our thoughts fixed on HIM.

• God is in control: He knows all and sees all. Galatians 6:7-8
  • “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
  • The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

• Trials build trust.
  • “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

• Educate yourself on the ability of today’s technology.
  • Anything good can also be used for evil.
  • Internet sites offer services for anyone to call, text, or email you anonymously.
  • One person can use several different names and numbers.
  • Learn to Block.

Conclusion: My life will be lived trusting God, not giving in to my weaknesses. Although fear and anxiety creep in, I am reminded to “Consider the Birds” and in so doing remember my God is in control of all things.

So, do I see November blessings? As my publisher would say, “YOU BET!”