Throughout my life, I have struggled with being torn. Torn between the life God calls me to and the life everyone else wants me to live. Until recently, I never realized that when God speaks to my heart about something, Satan will also start sharing his ideas for my life.

Here is how it goes. God provides clarity and satan quickly swoops in creating confusion.

The following is an example of the dialog I hear:

God-My precious daughter, you are in a season of rearing your children. During this phase, I want you to stay at home and tend to the needs of your family which include cooking, cleaning, supporting your husband, being home when the kids get out of school, etc. I also want you to focus this time on teaching the children the wisdom I have given you through the trials I have walked you through. Nothing is more important than this, so trust me with your finances and every other need. I promise I will not let you down.

Satan-Shannon, you are smart. You deserve to be out in the world using your God given talents, wisdom, and knowledge to make money to support your family of eight. Don’t you realize that? Staying at home is not a job. Anyone can stay at home, but you are not just anyone. God made you unique. I know you see other women who aren’t nearly as smart or as gifted as you making large sums of money and buying the things I know you would love to have. Things your husband and your children would love. You could make everyone so much happier.

God-Satan is right about one thing, I did create a uniqueness in you. You are smart and wise but putting your trust in money and things of this world will never allow you to leave the legacy I designed you to leave. That leads to temporary happiness and I am leading you to an eternal one, not only just for you but for your children, your children’s children, their children’s children.

Satan-(via the voice of someone else) You are such a loser. You sit at home all day doing nothing. Why don’t you stop taking hand outs from everyone else and go get a job like the rest of the world? You are so naive to think that God is okay with you staying at home. The bible clearly states that you are to work. Being a stay-at-home mom is not a real job. You are just selfish and lazy, which are both very unbiblical. And to think you call yourself a Christian.

God-Don’t listen to them. Focus on me. I am the only voice that matters. I am the one who sent my son to die on the cross so that you could have eternal life. But it is your choice and no matter what you choose, I will never love you any less.

It is so important to realize that everyone will have a plan for your life. God, satan, your mom, your dad, etc. Only one voice provides the way, the truth, and the life and that is the voice of God. So no matter what decisions you are faced with on your journey through life, always go to God’s word to see if it lines up with what you are hearing from the world.