The Furnace of Affliction

Don't Eat the Fruit! Focus on God's Plan.

Fruit is luscious, juicy, beautiful to look at, tasty, so delicious, and good for you as well. Fruit comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors—beautiful hues of red, blue, orange, yellow, and so many more. However, some fruit is imperative to AVOID. Fruit cultivated by the craftiest of enemies, the DEVIL! As you embark on a New Year full of optimism, hope, and exciting ideas, BEWARE! The devil will plant plenty of his "fruit" along your path in hopes of preventing you from fulfilling God's plan for you. He wants to defeat and destroy your efforts this year. The way to identify his "fruit" is to remember Satan's Three "D's." Distractions. Doubt. Discouragement. Satan will do his best to distract you from achieving your goals. These distractions might be something "good" or what seems harmless, but they take time away from God's plan. Ask yourself if what you are doing benefits your purpose for this year? (We all need times of respite, but there has to be a balance.) Doubt is a favorite "fruit" of the enemy. Creating doubt in your mind makes you less effective in doing your best. This year, there will be challenges, obstacles, and unexpected difficulties. Look to Jesus during these trying times and don't embrace discouragement, leading to despair. He will give you HOPE! Believe.