The Monthly Fall

This one may give new meaning to the word transparency.  

Here goes: the enemy knows the exact time of the month to bother me. He’s noticed that time of month when my emotions will be heightened, and my insecurity easily ignited. He’s aware of that time when someone can say the wrong thing that won’t rub me the right way. He probably laughs when I get a bit more impatient with the boys and when I dramatically feel like my house will never be clean. It’s like the devil knows my need to measure up especially during this time of the month, and in that moment of feeling nothing but lack, it’s easier to fall than to stand in God’s strength.

I can continue to acknowledge that he, the enemy, is so good at all these things, or I can accept that I’m the one who is giving in to the temptations he throws at me in my most vulnerable time. Unfortunately, I choose to fall every time.

It’s funny that I find encouragement from Eve. You know, the one that opened the door to “that time of the month.”  We meet her in Genesis, and we learn that her one fall for the enemy’s tactics affected women’s lives forever. Let’s get reacquainted with our big sister.

Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman (Eve), “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?” 

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’”

“No! You will certainly not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So, she took some of its fruit and ate it. Genesis 3:1-6

In comparison, I can say I would never obey an animal over God, but I fall for his tactics none-the-less, especially during that time. My mood can most definitely affect those around me, because I’m choosing to be in a mood instead of seeing what’s good. I’m seeking perfection in place of seeing the beautiful mess. I tend to stumble around the path of impatience rather than strolling the lane of peace. 

Maybe the serpent was aware of the thirst that Eve had to know all things, like he is aware of my desire to measure up. So, he waits for just the right moment – when we are most parched, and he offers to wet our whistles with what will quench that desire. Then, like an Olympic gold medalist, we dive right into what we think will satisfy, even though Living Water lasts forever. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 says when we are tempted, He will show us a way out so that we can endure. Endurance means making it to the other side and I want to do that without feeling remorse from my actions in the middle.

I can do that if I choose the right way. Even though my excuse may be hormonal, I have the choice to stop leaning into myself, which is the stumbling block that causes me to fall, and start leaning into The One who is my strength when I am at my weakest. 

I can choose His promises over my emotions. 
I can resolve to change my words from complaining to thankfulness. (I’m learning that complaining is contagious and just doesn’t look as pretty on).
I can clothe myself in confidence and love. 
I can still be free and fancy.

I love that as we continue through Genesis 3, after reading through sin’s consequences, we see the light of forgiveness in verse 21; The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.

He clothed them. Even after such disobedience He still cared for them and clothed them. He is still clothing me (and you) in His grace and love today despite the fall from yesterday. 

Maybe I’m the only one, and if not, I’m praying for you friend. I don’t know when your time of the month is, but I’m praying with you through your emotions, your brain farts, and your one hundred eye rolls from the annoyances that surround you – yeah, the ones that wouldn’t normally annoy you. Will you pray with me?