Spiritual warfare

I've been off of Facebook for almost a week--with the exception of popping on here or there to check on my dog training FB page for any messengers (doesn't happen very often but I check anyway.) It's interesting to me what happens when I take these Facebook breaks. It's almost as though I begin to wake up from something, like I've been asleep. I begin to see things that I didn't notice before.

Another thing is that I go through what I think is spiritual warfare. This isn't a topic that I talk about often as I don't know much about it--but I believe happens to us more than we are aware. Every time I get off of Facebook, a lot of bad things happen. External suffering, like fights in the family, or misunderstandings with friends or elsewhere. Or sometimes internal suffering, and a lot of it. Yes, bad things really come up when I try to get away from Facebook. It's a wonder I don't just stay on.

But at the same time, when I get off of Facebook, some good things happen as well--otherwise, I don't think I would have the courage to stay off of it, with all the struggles that come with trying to make a change in my life. God seems closer, for one. Spiritual favors, as in more insights, and clarity about things in my own life that I need to work on. As though God takes his thumb and wipes away some dirty in my soul to show me the beauty that is hiding underneath, if only I would put the attention and focus in this area of my life.

It's a painful time as well. When you discover new things about yourself--or go deeper into old things that you tried to ignore, it is painful to understand some of these old wounds or weaknesses. God shows me things that have been holding me back. He challenges me to go deeper and be more "real" with Him, get down to business about my vocation and to take it more seriously. It is heavy stuff, these Facebook breaks!

And yet, even with all the increased sufferings and drama, I rather be here suffering through it, then there, with people who don't even realize I have left Facebook. I rather suffer with God than without Him. At least I know this suffering is for my own good. At least I know it's bringing me closer to Him, than away from Him.

I have more time on my hands, that's for sure. I can get more work done. Not too crazy about that. I have more prayer time. I usually pray while I work, and it goes a little bit better.

I am a little more bored; life slows down a little without social media. It gets a little lonely sometimes, without someone to "talk" to, although, I can't say I've really talked to anyone on Facebook, except for a few comments here or there.

I read more. I take more naps, which is nice. I try not to over do it with naps, but it's nice to get in when I need it. The kids find me off of my Chromebook more often. Overall, it's good.

But spiritual warfare. It is there. The devil doesn't like it when you try to make a change for the better in your life or when you think about doing something that is good for your soul. He doesn't want you to be close to God. So all he does is throw distractions at you all day, every day. He reminds you of the boredom. He reminds you of your loneliness. He makes you worry that you will be come too ingrown, that your social media is all you have left. He makes you worry you will be forgotten.

But God supplies you the grace to endure it all, reminds you of His presence, reminds you that He is all you really need to be happy. Takes up that empty space, fills up that boredom with things that you can do for others. Reminds you that you can have a prayer life now. Shows you the people next to you. Helps you realize that you can now listen to tidbit news from your neighbors, or stories from your kids, instead of whatever is trending on Facebook.

Probably more than anything, that He gives you what you were looking for all along--recognition. Not from others, but from Him. That He sees you in a way others don't and probably never will. That He has answered your prayers for a nice day, and you actually had one. That He wants to hear all about your troubles and misunderstandings, when everyone else could care less. And suddenly you feel like you have gotten something back that you left behind long ago:  a good friend.

So bring on the spiritual warfare. It is worth it for a deeper friendship with God.