Chasing Away the Demons

I love watching epic dramas for entertainment and creative inspiration. For the last two years, we’ve enjoyed watching the Yellowstone spin-off 1923, telling the story of the Dutton family through the Great Depression. The beauty of the African wilderness, the vast Montana forests, and the depth of the characters in the storytelling captivate me. In Episode 4, the dialogue between Alex, the vibrant English aristocrat heiress, and Spencer, the wild, adventurous hunter caused me to pause, even hold my breath - such was the sheer power of the words. 

Spencer questions the longevity of their budding relationship based on his lifestyle and past experiences. But, with strength and certainty, Alex tells Spencer, “There is something you should know about me. I am a very jealous lover. I will not share you with your demons. So, let’s find them and chase them all away.” 

As she spoke, I heard God say, “Yes, this. Do you hear me?”

I paused the show, rewound it, and listened, asking God, “What do you want me to know?”

The core of my being rocked with understanding…This is how God feels about me..about us, His children. Think about it. He, the Lover of our soul, Creator, and Savior, says, "There is something you should know about Me. I am a very jealous God. I will not share you with your demons. So let's find them and chase them all away." 

He wants us to know Him, know His love. And His Son, Jesus, the Healer, wants us to function free from the demons that isolate us, that cause us to fear connection with Him and relationships with others. In addition, He desires to reveal and chase away the beliefs, thoughts, and wounds that hinder us from living a full, loving life. 

Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NIV)

I know I’ve shut off pieces of my heart to protect myself from further pain. I know I’ve shied away from authentic communication for fear of embarrassment, ridicule, or rejection. I’ve avoided stepping into dreams because I believed I wasn't good enough, strong enough, or skilled enough to succeed. And yet, God continues to highlight those demons and doubts and chase them away - giving me His courage and His love to do what seemed impossible - to live an authentic life with authentic, transparent relationships. 

What demons cause you to turn away from community, from relationships? What beliefs hold you hostage from entering into healthy connections with others? God knows you; He knows your heart, wounds, and fears. Share them with Him. Look at them through a microscope, and then let the God of your heart chase them away. 

1923. Directed by Taylor Sheridan, Paramount Network, 2023.

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