4:30 in the morning and the traffic on the 405 heading up the Sepulveda Pass was already at a standstill. Maybe I should take the side streets up through the canyon? Looking off to my right I could see Sepulveda Boulevard was bumper to bumper also. No escape from this traffic, I was not going to be on the job in Marina Del Rae at 5:00 like I was supposed to. And everybody thinks living in Los Angeles is life in the fast lane. Not if you are driving.
I had to decide before the last valley exit if I wanted to start my day on another jobsite and head to the Marina later. I could call my foreman and tell him to handle the safety meeting with the General Contractor and I would meet with them mid-morning and hash out the scheduling issues they wanted to talk to me about. My mind must have wandered, and I was roused by the blare of a horn. Startled, I looked up and I could see that the traffic had moved ahead, and I was holding up the cars behind me. Before I could react, the car immediately behind cut out into the far lane and tried to pass me. I could see it was a fancy sports car and the driver looked like a blond woman. Her impatience was not going to pay off, because as she cut out a car in that lane rear ended her causing her to back into my lane. By some wonder I was able to stop without hitting her car, but I was now closed in and without backing up I was going nowhere.
As I lay my head down on the steering wheel, I heard pounding on my window, looking up there was the blond from the sports car, and I could tell she was not a happy camper. Sighing I rolled my window down. Before it was open more than a few inches, vulgarities and swear words were being hurled my way. The gist of it was that all of this was my fault. The guy from the car that had hit her was going at it too. But he was ranting at her. After a few minutes of verbal abuse, I decided enough was enough and I screamed, “Shut up!” There were a few choice swear words in my declaration also. It seemed to startle both the woman and the man. She then began to cry, and the man threw up his hands. About this time, I saw the cops had arrived. Another start to another beautiful day living the good life in California.
How do you handle the rough spots in your life? You know, you get up in the morning and have your day pretty much planned out. Then all hell breaks loose. Your kid wakes up with the flu. Your car has a flat tire. You make it to work only to find out that your job has been down-sized. Any number of things can happen in a day that can derail all of our best intentions. And for most of us the answer to these situations come in the form of stress or anger or even worse, we turn to some substance to calm the waters. The problem is that none of these work.
When I talk about this, I am speaking from experience. Even though I was an addict for years, I tried to live an organized life. I had many responsibilities I in my work life, as a superintendent or general foreman for several companies I worked for over the years. Days would begin as the one I have described above. The day would be planned then the sky would fall in. It did not have to be as major as being involved in an accident, it could be that I had an argument with my wife before I left for work. A cloud would hang over that day and 9 times out of 10 it would lead to my self-medicating with booze or drugs or both. I have found that my problem then was I did not start my day out right. I did not have God’s Word or prayer in my life. I went out into this sin filled planet without the armor of God in place.
Folks, I am going to tell you that now I never begin my day until I absorb these verses: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which, you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— (Ephesians 6: 10-18)
Before I accepted Jesus in my life, I did not understand that we are in a spiritual war everyday and Satan will throw those fiery darts at us. Without the armor we have only worldly defenses. For me that was alcohol and drugs. For others it may be allowing stress to steal all their joy. The truth is without Jesus we have no defense. When I put on the armor, I am really asking Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life to live in me today. I cannot start my day without that. How about you?
Man, I tell you, that morning on the 405 turned into a nightmare of a day. The contractor on the Marina job wanted my head for not showing up on time. Other projects had troubles. By 2:00 in the afternoon, I was sitting in my truck in a park in Santa Monica drinking. I had been frustrated, angry and defeated. I still have days where Satan attacks, but I now have the indwelling Jesus, I put on his armor every morning. I know am not alone and that has made all the difference.
Blessings
John
2/25/19
