Step Back…

Step Back…8-27-25

I have OCD, clinically diagnosed, and sometimes I do perseverate. The meaning of perseverate fits me to a T. I tell my students that I am like a dog with a bone, I don’t let it go. I have been told by some people that I have to much baggage, and that I am too much for them to be my friend because of this. I can feel myself lately becoming stuck on some things, focusing way too much, becoming to involved, invested, and not relaxing enough to let the joy in.

I told my husband last night that I need to step back with some things in my life. I can feel the devil entering in certain areas. I know the signs. I know he will bring strife, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, and any number of other things into relationships in order to separate us. We have the armor of God to fight against the devil. He can’t separate us from God. The problem is, the devil will try.

Why talk about this? My grandson has OCD. He will experience these things some day. We are alike when it comes to our all-in approach to projects, passions, or any number of things that we begin to focus on and can’t let go. This is how God made us. That’s okay.

But when the devil attacks, and he will, we are not alone. Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” and Ephesians 6-13, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

I am not alone. I know there are others like me. But, I know I will stand firm. I know nothing can separate me from the love of God. Romans 8:38-39, “ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I will step back and I will pray. I will pray for God’s guidance. I will pray for the devil to get behind me. I will enjoy the gifts God gave me. I will give Him all the power and glory. For God alone is my strength and shield. He is my joy, and I won’t let the devil take it. Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” I will step back, and then move when God directs.