Some might say I’ve been hiding from the chaos. You may know what I mean. If it isn’t chaos about your mask or lack thereof, it’s about your political policies or your thoughts on the civil chaos. And of course, there’s still the religious chaos – fundamentals vs evangelicals or one of the other 41K denominations.

Well, meantime, I’ve had some personal chaos of my own. Therefore I unplugged from every other chaos and refused to be part of it. I must be reconciled with my own chaos before I tackle anything else. After all, how will I make good decisions if I’m not at Peace?

So, I’ve been keeping a low profile, hiding from the chaos outside. In my own wilderness, or on my own mountain top, so to speak. And sometimes in my own hell.

I’ve come to the conclusion that no matter how awesome our relationship with Father, we are not safe from the chaos within ourselves as long as we live on planet Earth. We must face them to reconciliation. And that isn’t actually hiding from the chaos. Of course, with Father, each chaos becomes more like On The Job Training in a new subject. One that, if we hang in there with him, enduring, will result in a whole new repertoire of expertise, of sorts. I believe scripture calls it Overcoming.

You might ask: Have you never wanted to give up? And the answer is: Every time.

There always comes the meetings with the “devil” of my own thoughts. Tormenting me with put-downs and angry self-loathing. Those epithets of “Failure!”. Followed by self-flagellation.

But none of those “demonic” voices last nearly as long as they once did.

And that’s because I’ve learned a new thing.

When those voices speak, eventually I wake up and ask Father, “I think I’ve heard this voice inside myself before. Please tell me when I first heard this voice and help me to see why I *Believed* it.

It is in seeing that first moment that holds the key to calling it “Liar”. Not in a screaming tirade, but finally, in Peace. In the assurance that I have seen the masquerade where my mind took advantage of my spirit. And it will not again. At least not in this area. I have now won.

To those who don’t believe the devil is actually…and only…within themselves, I say, “Then you’ll never reconcile the evil”. And that is the conclusion of “Revelation”.

These inner “wars” are truly Apocalyptic, and nothing will ever compare to the chaos and destructive turmoil it will wage before the Peace comes and the judgement call is made.

And mark my words here. That judgment call must be made or that same war will wage again and again in our minds and our lives. Keeping us from the victory that is actually ours.

This process isn’t true hiding. It is the journey into hell to save the souls hidden there and reconcile them again to The Kingdom…..and those souls are a piece of me. It all takes place within me. And there is no external devil or demons pursuing me.

But now, I’m breathing freely again. I’m basking in Father’s Peace.

Once, he showed me that with each of these battles…and even the very small seemingly insignificant ones…we receive a reward. When he showed me this, he illustrated it. Once with a ring. Once with a sword. And many other times, with other baubles or weapons. These were all symbols of the victory I now carried within my soul.

The dynamics of this Earthly journey with Father is a succession of battles and victories. Hmm, maybe that was the point of having the Bible stories. To learn that this is our journey. One of great adventures, battles, losses, and victories. A journey that takes us from the immaturity of a child to the victorious throne of ruling and reigning this inner kingdom with him.

I’m not truly hiding. Rather, I had a quest to take. A battle to win. And a reward to gain.

It took me a minute. Or two.

Blessings on your “hiding” journey,

Faith

MANY EVIL TASKMASTERS