I hate Satan, and I hate ants. The end.

Betsy here.

I know this isn't my day to post. I'm just taking over here because I'm a little nuts at the moment. Was sitting down to schedule a post for Wednesday, and well, I think I'm supposed to post it now instead. Sorry, Erynn and BJ, for cutting in line!

If you are my friend on FB, you've seen my recent struggle these past few weeks with ants.

In my closet.

Then in my daughter's closet. ON HER CLOTHES.

Then in my living room.

And I just sat down to type this blog and they started biting my toes under the computer. I kid you not.

I am still debating if I'm going to laugh, cry, or go ahead and give in and just go insane.

Do you ever feel like it's just too much? TOO MUCH? I'm there. Right now, right here, this moment. At any given time I'm overwhelmed technically, on my wit's end emotionally, overloaded mentally, and bone-aching weary physically. I hate satan, and I hate ants, and right now, they're all one and the same. At least one is clearly being orchestrated by the other.

I almost didn't write this post. Because I just wanted to go to bed and hide under the covers and ignore reality once more. It's not just the ants. The ants are just the straw on my poor camel's back, which is in serious need of a spinal adjustment.

But that would be admitting defeat. And I'm sick of defeat and sick of the enemy winning. So I'm going to write this post and I'm going to make it as in satan's face as I possibly can. I'm standing up and fighting back even if I'm wobbly, even if my armor is chipped, even if I'm bloody and tired and battle weary. And even if my toes now sting from ant bites.

And no, none of this has anything to do with writing or the craft of fiction other than the simple fact that if you are going to write christian fiction and dedicate your writing to God's glory, you better get ready for some ants.

So here we go.

Fighting back with the only thing I have and the only thing that matters.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  (AMEN!)

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (We are more than conquerors!) 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (Perfect love casts out fear)

And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[b] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.  (you reading that one, satan? you getting this?!)

I'm going to make this even better. If any of you out there have no idea what I'm talking about here, and don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, and don't understand spiritual warfare, or don't know where you will go when you die, please message me. betsystamant@yahoo.com 

I am happy to talk to you about how much Jesus loves you, how He died for you on the cross, and how because of His priceless sacrifice, we can accept Him and live eternally with God in heaven. We can have abundant life now on earth. We can have access to the Holy Spirit. We are never alone or forsaken because Jesus chose us. He chose YOU. He loves you, He died for you, and He has a plan for your life and for your future regardless of what you've done in the past. You are valuable to Him. You MATTER. And you can have victory. 

I can have victory. 

See? I still have to preach to the choir now and then. 

I'd love to talk to you more about Jesus if you'd ever like.

Okay, now back to writing.