From Abby “Abs” Amos

Yesterday was one of those work out days where I had zero motivation! I hopped on my machine of choice and began plugging away at my routine. To distract me from the rigmarole of the work out I began watching the pool down below me through the window. It’s an indoor water park complete with huge water slides. As I was watching, I noticed a little girl about 4 years old scooting down the slide, but the slide was DRY. She couldn’t slide down because there was no water coming down! The little girl turned around and began walking back UP the slide. Now mind you, she was in my direct line of vision, and I was 2 stories up. This slide was enormous. If she fell over the edge there is no way she would have survived. The girl continued to climb her way back to the top. I was getting nervous wondering what would happen. She wouldn’t be able to continue UP the slide if the water came on.

Suddenly, the water did come gushing from the top, knocked the girl to her backside, and rushed her down to the bottom. She had no defense. That water hit, and there was no way she was going to make it back to the top. It was at that moment that a realization hit me like a ton of bricks. That water was a symbol to me of temptation.

My boyfriend and I are in a very serious relationship. With the love we have for each other, and the closer we move towards marriage, the harder it is to stay physically pure. We have set high boundaries for ourselves, both have accountability groups, and even wear purity rings yet the fight to stay pure is beyond what we can handle on our own without our God.

I Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Just like that water knocked that little girl defenseless that is the power that temptation has. I may think I am going along at a safe pace, working my way to the top, then all of the sudden, if I’m not prepared, WOOSH. That water comes gushing out of nowhere and can knock me senseless.

But that is where hope comes in to the picture! I Peter 5:9 goes on to say “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” I am not alone! YOU are not alone! We can stand firm in our faith in God. God wants holiness for our lives. He wants faithfulness, and He will see us through.

I have been learning a lot about my own pride lately. It’s been a scary realization. Often times when I make a mistake in life, the major reason for my remorse is pride. I don’t want to look bad in front of other people. That makes temptation even more dangerous! “If no one finds out about it, then who cares?” could easily be a lie of satan that could creep in. Peter also warns just before those other verses that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Oh that God would continue to humble me. Solomon is right in saying that “Pride goes before destruction.”

I write this today, humbly confessing my own mistakes. I am humbly admitting that I have been swept away by the waters of temptation at times. I am also writing today guessing that you have, too. What I believe God wants you to cling to is this: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in my weaknesses…For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Corinthians 12:9-10)

There is HOPE. God’s power is made perfect in weakness. He has the power to fight any raging waters that come our way and bring us safely, and dryly to the top. Stand firm my dear brothers and sisters. STAND FIRM.