Why blame God?

Recently I was studying the bible through a study called Seamless, by Angie Smith with a group of ladies. In the beginning of the study the author discusses Adam and Eve and then also touches on Job. One connecting point of the two stories is the nastiness of Satan.
In the garden of Eden Satan deceives Eve with his words to get her to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge. Boy were her eyes opened. And they were ushered out of Eden in the world.
In Job we hear from Satan again, but at the feet of God.
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord , and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the Lord and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord .
Job 1:6‭-‬12 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/job.1.6-12.ESV

I highlighted the sentence in the verses above because that's the one I want to focus on. Satan goes to and fro on the earth, walking up and down on it. Who do you suppose he's walking up and down on? hmmmm......
Now consider this from the new testament in John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..."

When bad things happen those who do not walk with God, and even some who do, are quick to say "Why would God do that? Where is He?" May I suggest that God is where he's always been? Watching over us and desiring we come back to Him? And it's not God creating the evil in the world? But the evil one?

We became separated from God when Adam and Eve were sent out of the Garden. Separated from His holy presence. But that didn't mean we were also separated from the activities of Satan. Remember the verse from John above? Satan still roams the earth.

My wise sister once posed this question to me. "What if God is holding back 98% of what Satan could be doing on the earth?" YIKES! Think of that with how evil our world has become recently? So why not blame Satan instead of God when something bad happens? And look to God for His goodness in the bad? His goodness started with providing us a way to bridge the gap between us through His son Jesus Christ. God loves us so incredibly much that He sent His only Son, did you get that? His ONLY Son to be crucified (horrible horrible death) for your sins and mine, to die on that cross, and rise in 3 days to sit at God's right hand in heaven. And it doesn't stop there!
Jesus then sent His Holy Spirit to reside in us to renew us, provide us grace and mercy, so that we can go directly to God and be restored. And then to share His Gospel (this means His teachings and why He died for us) with others. And also to share our story which is a good way to relate to others.

Now I say "Satan, speak to the hand, I have no time for you." Similar to what Jesus had told Peter - "But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
Matthew 16:23 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.16.23.ESV

And what I do is pray to God and lay out the circumstances to Him for guidance.
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.4.8.ESV
Draw near in reading His word, praying, and repeat.

Lord, I end this with a verse I desire to memorize:
"But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
I wait for the Lord , my soul waits, and in his word I hope;"
Psalms 130:4‭-‬5 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.130.4-5.ESV

PINK Impact conference 2015 recap.

This is my experience from the conference through worship, fellowship and prayer.

Removed: "The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe." Proverbs 29:25 

As we arrived I started to feel the tinges of panic and anxiety in the crowd of women. Thankfully you were with me and plowed on in to discover and enjoy the blessings the women had waiting for us. Through your courage and determination to absorb all that was around us, I became brave. The Lord then removed my fear of people this first day of the conference. He taught me that Fear isn't my emotion, nor is it of God. Fear is an emotion and something satan uses in me. In the name of Jesus, I am healed. 

He reminded me of one of my life verses. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7. 

 

Fear is a spirit, so its not of God, its not of me for He gave me the Holy Spirit - power (from the Holy Spirit), love (of Christ) and a sound mind (God's word).

 

Renewed: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

The Lord convicted me and beckoned me to enter His Word to seek my direction, His Ways, and His Wisdom. God placed a desire, a thirst, to be in His Word. 

 

Redeemed: Isaiah 43:1-3a 

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be wtih you; And through rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you." 

I am His and He is mine. I felt hugged at the conference by God. 

 

Reassured: Psalm 139 (My favorite!) 

I felt the hands of God take my face and turn it towards Him, making me only look t Him. In that, He reminded me where I'm hearled, where I am today in faith and love opposed to years ago. And He wants me to deepen my faith through knowing His Word. He assured me He's redeeming the years eaten by the locusts. He reminded me who I am and whose I am and how perfectly He made me to be me. He also told me He is with me no matter what and no matter where. 

"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain!" Philippians 1:21  has taken on a completely whole new meaning for me. I didn't quite understand what that meant, but God revealed its meaning. I live with Christ (Holy Spirit) in me as He lived on this earth - loving people. 

 

This last verse is one that also struck a chord in me. 

"Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord Until He comes to rain righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12

 

On January 1 of this year, I read the Bible App verse of the day and almost fell over. I ran to My husband and said "God is speaking to us, for this year, here is our verse and God's promise.....Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19 

 

Stress at work is less as I hold on to the promise from God that He is in control - over me, and over the lives of others in all situations. Traveling fear is gone as again, He is in control and for me to live is Christ, to die is gain - heaven awaits!