Lessons from the Wilderness

With each trial that comes our way, whether it be from without, or from our own making, there are lessons the Lord would have us learn from them. Sometimes we respond in the correct manner; sometimes not. Last week I felt very threatened by "something" that seemed like it wanted to control and manipulate me. I assigned it to a certain person, which, was in itself not the correct way, as God says, "we wrestle not with flesh and blood." Even though this person has unknowingly used these methods of the flesh to get his own way for many, many years, he is just an innocent pawn of the enemy, and truly "knows not what he does." I can now pray for his delverance, now that the Lord has gotten everything in it's proper perspective for me.
Another thing He showed me is about the log and plank thing. I have inadvertently used fleshly methods in the past, and still in the present, to get my own way. He is delivering me of this in a most incredible way. The Lord is revealing His unconditional love and acceptance to me, and in doing so, is casting out the fear that I have had. This fear has caused me to control (unknowingly, most of the time) others, so that "nothing will happen," and so that they won't withdraw their love for me. By God replacing this fear with His loveI am gaining a security that will stand, and the temptation to fear, and then control, is lessened because, I am realizing truly that His Love IS ENOUGH. It is sufficient, even if I did lose everything else. It is a long road to get to this place though. He has me on this road, for He desires that my security and love be for Him alone, with no other competing lover. He knows that if my love is divided, that I will fall. (A house divided falls)
With this understanding, I am realizing that this other person may have the same fears, and just needs the love of the Lord to come and wash him over, so that he can become free also. I have taken some steps to reach out to him lately, so that God's love in me can touch him. I had sang a heart prayer to the Lord a few years ago, and it remains my prayer today. The words are; Flow through me, Flow through me. Open up my heart, and let your mercy flow. Flow through me. Flow through me. Let your mercy flow through me. Well, all these stirrings and rumblings and what feel like painful attacks, probably is the Lord molding and shaping me in His image, so that His mercy can flow through me. (A good spanking and a good scrubbing bath never felt good anyway, but it is good FOR US, especially if we want the Lord to show Himself through us for others' sake.)
So, in retrospect, this discipline (one translation says 'scourging') affirms that I am the Lords, and that is encouraging. As a result, as I rely upon the empowerment of the Lord, I am planning on continuing to hold this one in prayer, and to respond to the Spirit as He directs as far as reaching on in the natural realm. I feel God responds to the prayer of intercession to help someone be delivered from the power of darkness, which is what control and manipulation stem from. I pray that for me too, as I am subject to it. LORD, HAVE MERCY ON ME AND MY BROTHER. Amen.
Thanks to those of you who gave counsel and prayed for me over this situation.