Go to Hell, Satan!
Yikes! Donna! You don’t talk like that! I don’t, but maybe I should! Actually, that title refers to Dolly’s new song from her recent Christmas special, “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas”.
In the middle of the song, she exclaims: “Brothers and Sisters! I’m here to tell you that Satan is real and walking amongst us trying to destroy everything that is good and beautiful. He wants to break our hearts and minds, destroy our dreams and plans. He wants to tear our hearts to pieces!” Then back to her fast-paced, crowd-pleasing song that tells Satan where to go:
“Go to Hell, go to Hell, go back where you belong.
Get thee behind me Satan, just leave me the Hell alone.
Take your wars and your politics, your lust, and your greed,
And go to Hell in a handbasket ’cause heaven waits for me.
You’re a cheat, you’re a liar, you’re a scoundrel and a thief.
Go to Hell in a handbasket ’cause heaven waits for me!”
I’m sure this song won’t ever make it into a hymnal, but that’s the attitude we should have for the “thief who comes to kill, steal and destroy” us! (John 10:10a) Once and for all, we must recognize who it is that is disturbing our peace, putting negative thoughts into our minds, and stealing our joy.
And, more importantly, is that we recognize Who it is that gives us peace and positive thoughts and Who fills our lives with joy! “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b) I choose the abundant life that Christ came to give us!
I had tolerated pain in my foot for weeks before I realized I had a splinter in it. I tolerated negative thoughts before I realized it was the enemy stealing my joy and peace. Dolly’s message is clear. We have tolerated the enemy’s tactics way too long.
I believe hearing Dolly’s rockin’ “Go to Hell, Satan” was God nudging me. I sense there are those who have tolerated and put up with nagging pain, nagging relationships, nagging financial woes, and nagging concerns for what tomorrow holds. Way. Too. Long.
I have no idea what you may be tolerating, but I encourage you to seek God’s help. Like I dug out that splinter in my foot, you dig out what you have tolerated too long. Pray for God’s wisdom and Holy Spirit’s guidance to help you get out of the “tolerating” mode into a joy-filled life of freedom.
It starts with you. Don’t tolerate a negative attitude. Don’t tolerate judging and gossiping. Get caught up in being thankful and being way nicer than necessary.
Don’t tolerate self-deprecating thoughts. Don’t tolerate living in the past. Don’t tolerate being too busy to appreciate life’s sweetness. Don’t tolerate worry. Don’t tolerate people who make you feel worthless. Stand your ground and if need be, let them walk away rather than all over you.
Don’t tolerate anger, arguments, grudges, and resentments. Don’t tolerate unforgiveness. Forgive others, not because they deserve it but because you deserve peace. Don’t tolerate anything that takes away your peace. It is the single most required Fruit of the Spirit that I demand in my life. I know how to walk away from anything that tries to take it away.
I hope we get this message to the core of our beings. It’s a new day when freedom can be ours as we refuse to tolerate those things that should no longer be tolerated! Then we’ll be declaring “Freedom! I’m free at last!”