Whose side are you on?

God is always with us.

God protects us.

God is our fortress.

If we have Him in our hearts, no power of man or scheme of evil can tear us down.

As Christians, these truths are engrained in us at a young age but a young mind doesn't hear that there is a "but..."

My young mind completely missed it. Every single time I've been met with a blow in this hard season, I would get so angry with God because it seemed like all these truths I knew, He wasn't coming through for me. Why wasn't he protecting me from all this pain?

Over time and a powerful devotional from Susie Larson, I started to realize that there is more to it. When you're met with hard times, a decision must be made, every single time.

Whose side are you on?

In that hard time, you either let Satan get his grip or you purposefully look to God and when you look to God that's where the protection, peace and strength sits. God allows you to make that choice.

The pain will still be there, our human flesh will still feel the sting BUT if we train our mind, body and soul to make that conscience decision to look to Him, that's when we become unbreakable.

I thought if I could just develop faith like Robin Riggins (IYKYK) I'll never have to feel pain like this again. Well this was stupid to think. Did I really believe she never feels pain because she's such a faithful follower? Of course she does, I mean have you heard her story?! BUT when she's met with pain, she fixes her eyes on the One who can ease the pain. She concentrates on His truths to heal her broken heart. She consciously makes a decision to silence the devil with His word...hello, protection.

This isn't easy but no one said it was going to be easy.

I'm honestly still trying to figure out how to do this when I'm in a triggered state. Right now, what works for me is repeating truth over and over in my head (fighting like hell) until I'm centered again, even if it's through gushing tears. It also involves my circle of people that can help me redirect my focus back to Him. I can't tell you how important it is to surround yourself with people like that. If your circle isn't pushing you closer to God, get a new circle.

But take note that you can't center yourself with truth in the eye of a storm if you're not filling yourself with truth when the waters are calm.

You have to find what works for you but let's start being clear and finishing the sentence.

He is always there, BUT we're the ones who have to decide whose side we're on.