Tracy glided her hand over the freshly typed speech. She glanced at the clock – there was so much to do, so little time. This was Saturday afternoon and while most girls in her class were preparing to hit the club later, she was working. She was diligently working, because after all somebody had to do the work.
She played the scenario over in her mind. It was the secondary school debating competition final rounds, and she was part of the group of three students chosen to represent her school, St. Mary’s High School.
She had written the opening statement and the conclusion for the others. Now she just had to work on the rebuttal. That was tricky, because it involved predicting the opposing team’s possible points and logically nullifying them. She could start the rebuttal, but it could not be completed until the actual day of the championship.
Her thoughts drifted to her best friend Jessica, then to her boyfriend, Tim. Then the voices started, ‘Watch out for Jess, she seems pretty friendly with Tim lately.’ It continued, ‘Soon they’ll be together, and you’ll be the lonely one, all alone.’
‘Sigh!’ She thought about it. She always did think that Jess had a thing for Tim but thought that their friendship would overcome it. And as for her being the loner, it was an all too familiar feeling. Tomorrow at the debating competition, she would likely be Tracy, the winner. But for the rest of her life, she was the loser, the loner, the odd one out. She was never pretty enough, brave enough or cool enough. To think that her boyfriend and best friend would vanish in one go…
“No…” She caught herself. “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report… think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
It was the memory verse from last Sunday School, that the 16 plus class was reciting as she popped into church between services. Tracy realised this – her worth depended on God and her future was in His hands. It was not debating that gave her a platform and a reason to be loved, it was God.
She started working on the other rebuttal, the one in her mind. Those demonic voices had their say anytime they wanted, for far too long. She had two choices, she could spend her whole life worrying about the future or she could rebut the devil with the Word of God.
The rest of the afternoon was filled with a fight in her mind. This time, she was on the winning side. The voices in her head would no longer be on loud speaker, rambling on endlessly, because she had a rebuttal that could not be challenged or overcome, she had the Word of God.
She twisted on her bed to settle in that night. ‘Lord you will keep me in perfect peace because my mind is stayed on You.’ (Isaiah 26:3)
Peace flooded her like a blanket. Tomorrow was the big day, but just as it should be, it was in the hands of her big God together with Tim, Jessica and the rest of her life.
Reflection:
You too can have this assurance of knowing and trusting this God. Once you accept Him, as a child of God you have the authority to use the Word of God against the enemy, because greater is He that is living in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Say this prayer to make Him the Lord of your life:
Lord, I submit my life to you. Please take control of every area. I trust you for my eternal salvation and to see me through life on earth. Please help me overcome every fear, anxious thought and insecurity. Holy Spirit help me live boldly for your glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
