Devotional: Ignore the Knock at the Door
A few weeks ago I was sitting quietly in my room, just praying and spending alone time with God. I truly crave that time now, because it settles my mind and soul like nothing else can. On this particular day, I was laying quietly in my bed, repeating His promises to myself and letting my mind slow as I focused on the image of Jesus carrying me, protecting me, guiding me. I’ve been meditating on this a lot lately, trying to visualize this image in my mind’s eye. As I was doing this, there was a loud knock on the bedroom door (surely from one of my kiddos wondering when mom’s quiet time would be over). It interrupted my thoughts and startled me, but I chose to ignore it. Matt was home, so I knew the kids were fine. I held my breath for a few seconds, anticipating something more, but another knock never came and I was able to continue with my prayer time.
This made me think about how the enemy works with our thought life. Sometimes a negative thought comes out of nowhere–it surprises us and interrupts our thoughts/mood/focus. Even when we have the best intentions, fear and discouragement can knock on the door of our minds and attempt to completely derail our day. Sometimes it can be really loud and obvious–other times they’re subtle and barely noticeable. But if our door is securely locked (our mind and hearts are sealed in God’s truth) we can ignore that knock and let it pass on by. But if we get up, open the door, and let that negative thought into our minds, that’s when the enemy beings to gain a foothold.
I know it isn’t always easy to ignore the knocks from the enemy. Sometimes it’s really hard and it feels like the knocks just keep on coming, whether that be with negative thoughts, health issues, financial troubles, etc. But as I’ve personally walked through a season of battling those knocks in my own thought life, I’ve come to realize that we do have great authority and power over the enemy (Luke 10:19). He doesn’t want us to realize that. No, the enemy wants us to feel defeated, discouraged, and afraid. But we can choose to keep the doors to our minds locked as we stand strong in our true identity in Christ. And at the end of the day, we are not defined by the knocks at the door, but in our response.
If the enemy keeps knocking on the door of your mind, I want to encourage you to hold strong my friends. Remember your mental and spiritual authority and put on the full armor of God. Stand your ground. Refuse to open the door. I’ve found that memorizing scripture, or even writing an empowering verse on a notecard and carrying it in my pocket for easy reference, is a great way to replace the enemy’s thinking for God’s thinking. Say that verse over and over until you can feel it in your soul.
Believe with all your heart that you are unstoppable. You are immune to failure. You will rise, you will overcome. No knock has the power to defeat you. Embody that way of thinking and start thanking God now for the victory, then sit back and watch Him show up for you.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.” Romans 8:38
“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.” Psalm 16:8
“And I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” Luke 10:19
The Comments
Jenny Ramsey
Thank you for this.. for being you and such a positive person to us! ❤️
O’Brien Kerin
> Jenny RamseyThank you, Sarah, for your pure heart for Jesus! An incredibly helpful devotional for me in this season. ❤️
Sarah
> O’Brien KerinI’m so glad it was helpful to you. xoxo
Tami Fedor
My mother, who is now with our Lord, loved and memorized those verses and shared them with me. Thanks for reminding me.
Kim Thalen
Thank you. I look forward to each devotional you post. 💕
MK
Such a good word, Sarah! God has truly blessed you with this gift of writing. I have never resonated with a devotional quite like I have yours! Please keep them coming!
Jamie
sarah. i think you may have found your new [thing]. the words that god gives you to pour into our lives are vulnerably honest and beautiful. i’m grateful for your obedience to come here and share with us. just a few devotions in and i’m already waiting with great anticipation for next week’s devotion, as i read the last word of the current devotion.
side note: have you heard of [the bible recap]? do you want to start reading the bible chronologically? we start the new testament on october 1st. this is my first time reading through the bible [i started january 1st] and i cannot wait to start again in 2024!
Kris Hauter
Yes and amen!
Lisa Whaley
Thank you for these weekly devotionals. Really enjoy the spark of light they add to my week!
Vanessa Schroeder
This is such a great reminder. Thank you for sharing your heart!
Shela
These have been so good! So much wisdom. Thank you for sharing this today. It’s great advice and a comfort knowing I’m not alone in my struggles.
Claire
This is so good! Thank you for taking time to share what God is showing you and encouraging others through it!
Sharon Goins
Loved your devotional. The verses are 100% to keep your mind on God. Satan cannot stay close to you when you speak the name Jesus.❤️
Xaimara Velez
I love this one as much as I loved the previous one. Thank you so much for sharing this with us 🙏
Catherine Krueger
Just beautiful!! And some really really great advice…staying strong in Gods words always❤️❤️ Would love to see a book of all your devotionals from you someday!
Mary Lou Edwards
Thank you so much, Sarah! I’m really enjoying these devotions.
Roxanne Franco
Awesome devotional. So enjoying these.
Jennifer
Beautiful word Sarah, thank you for sharing♥️
Love these devotionals!!
Cheri Melin
Great words Sarah, I do the same thing and visualize being with the Lord and saying Jesus powerful name when the enemy wants my thoughts. Jesus name wins every time!! God bless you and your family!! ❤️
Sarah
> Cheri MelinYes amen to that Cheri, Jesus Wins every time!
Karen Jacobi
Thank you so much for these and sharing your heart.
Sarah
> Karen JacobiThank you for taking the time to read my devotional, Karen. xoxo
Mary
SPeaks to my heart and soul. You said it perfectly. Thank you, we all need to know how to protect ourselves from the enemy! He knocks on my door daily!
Sarah
> MaryHe knocks on my door daily too, and has for months now. But in the struggles, I know God gives me the authority to stand my ground in Jesus name!
Tam
Just what I needed to hear today ~ thank you! We are blessed to have you share your many gifts with all of us 🩷God Bless!
Sarah
> Tamthank you for taking the time to read my devotional, Tam! xo
Amber
Sarah,
This is my first visit to your blog. I’m so glad I popped in. Thank you for sharing your time with the Lord with us followers. It blessed me tremendously. What a beautiful way to use social to point people to Jesus and help them in their walk. You helped me this morning. I’m going to share some of these scriptures with my adult daughters who have families of their own. We’ve all suffered through a very difficult season. These words today are so much more true for us than they ever were before. He is with us.
Bless you Sarah,
Amber
Sarah
> AmberWow Amber, thank you so much for stopping by my blog for the first time. And thank you for sharing with your daughters, I pray it encourages them as well. Sending you lots of love. xoxo
Amber Fannin
♥️🙏🏻 this is good
Carol denne
Hi Sarah
Such a phenomenal message today. Thank you so much for these devotionals. I needed this today , your message mirrors my life and how I need to change my thought process and focus on God instead of negative knocks at my door🙏🏻
God bless you
J
2Corinthians 10:5 is my go to verse☺. Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.
That tells me I have a choice in my thoughts to please God.
Fran
Thank you so much for these encouraging words! It’s a great reminder that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13 (one of my favorite verses)
Susan
Awesome word! You are so right we have authority over all the power of the enemy. And His promises are yes and amen.
From the time my children were young, I had them memorize psalm 91. To me that was so important, knowing what Gods word says and standing firm in it. You my dear are indeed a prayer warrior- I could feel it as I was reading your post.
Continue to do the work God has for you.
Be blessed!
Ada
So blessed ♥️
Sherry
Thank you sister in Christ. I needed this 🙏 so much!
Kim
Love this! I’ve been reading this message lately from a few authors (ie- Joyce Meyers, Craig Groechel) but I love the way you put it. Your words just kind of resonated with me. I needed this reminder this morning. Thank you.
Nancy Martinelli
Thank you…I have a problem with knocks at my door. Very difficult to ignore. Thank you for this wonderful reminder. ❤️
patricia
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this Sarah. You are a blessing.
Sandy
Beautiful message. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. God is good
Carol Lukas
Thank you . I appreciate you.
Joanne Anderson
Thanks Sarah that was awesome and I needed to hear all that. I am a very sensitive person & I let those knocks sneak in and overpower me. I really have to be strong to keep them out. I am spiritual but need to be better at it. I pray overnight & day for the Lord to help me be a stronger person, just be me and keep the negativity out. You are an inspiration to me and such a great writer. Thanks for starting my day off without any knocks at my door.
Kim
I love your blog and have been following you for several years. I’m disappointed you still promote Target due to the fact they clearly support anti-Christian beliefs.