“God calls us out of caves because, in our caves, voices of fear and doubt and dread monopolize our minds.”

A thought by Steven Furtick, (2014-02-11) from his book, Crash the Chatterbox: Hearing God's Voice Above All Others (Kindle Locations 1768-1769). The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

It is so easy as a retired person to stay in our caves.  To just stay in bed as long as you want to, go to bed when you want to and never go anywhere.  I mean you are retired.  You don’t have to do anything.  But that can be so dangerous.  That’s why I have a certain time that I go to bed, a certain time that I get up, get ready, read my Bible and then get out.  I know that staying in my cave would drive me to depression and discouragement real fast.

I appreciate my daughter, Stefanie.  She is a stay at home mom and what I mean is she doesn’t have to get up to go out to work.  She has an 18 month old girl who is her constant companion and responsibility and it would be very easy for her to stay in her cave but she doesn’t.  She has a Bible Study at her church she goes to each week, she goes out with different mothers and their children for play dates and on their weekends, when Andrew could stay in their cave because he has worked so hard they go out for birthday parties and other activities with friends and family and they also go to the Crossing to church. 

Now the circumstances of having a young child can drive you into your cave, or the circumstance of working long hours just to survive or the rejection in a relationship or so many other things can cause us to go deeper into our caves and that is the Enemy's plan.

Look at what Steven says, “The Enemy can’t do a thing to diminish God’s promises— that ability is decidedly beyond the limits of his power. So instead he lures you into places where your perspective of God’s promises will be diminished. He convinces you that the cave you’re in is safe, when in fact it’s an incubator of disbelief and an echo chamber of lies.” 

I mean I have to work and I am worn out.  I just want to go home and do nothing.  I don't want to see anybody and for sure I don't want to be in a crowd.  I am worn out.  And Satan reinforces the fact that you don't need God and you don't need to be with your Christian family and nobody cares and your life is hopeless and those promises of God really don't make sense and you get discouraged and wonder if it is all worth it.   

One of the great Prophets in the Bible found himself in a cave ready and willing to give up but God told him to “Go out and stand.”  Then He talked to him and encouraged him and challenged him and questioned him.  Yes we need times of rest but then we need times to go out and stand and listen for God’s promises to be reinforced and for us to be reenergized for the life that we live.  Being in your cave too long can be dangerous.  God wants us to get up and get out.  

So what cave are you in today?