The Just-Because-Crabbies

Have you ever been

crabby

 for no reason?

A spirit of ugliness settles over you and you can't trace its origin?

You check the calendar, and can't blame it on that.

Your husband hasn't left his unders or towel on the floor,

so you can't blame him.

The tires on the car are not flat,

there were no scratches from the cat,

the milk is not sour,

there's no bugs in the flour,

 nobody threw up during the night,

the kids didn't pick a fight,

you didn't bounce a check,

the kids weren't a pain in the neck,

nobody forgot a dentist appointment,

your hubby is not a disappointment,

your good scissors are not missing,

the furnace is not hissing,

your last piece of gum is still there,

the rain didn't ruin your hair,

you are 

crabby

just

because.

My sister and I found a root cause of the

 just-because-crabbies

 a few years back.

She was having one of those days.

She was irritated and frustrated with her six kids she normally adores. 

Really, she is an amazing mommy. 

Her day was so bad, in fact, 

she didn't feel like praying or reading.

As we talked on the phone and she described her day,

I felt a punch in my gut,

and not from my sister,

 but from the enemy.

It had been a day I really, really needed prayer.

I don't remember what the exact circumstances,

if it had to do with my cancer, or a relationship, or a counselling situation,

but I had felt a strong need to be surrounded with praying saints.

While I was needy, Satan kicked us both where it hurt.

My sister and I talked more,

comparing notes about crabby days.

(from Bing images)

I had experienced the 

just-because-crabbies 

 earlier in the week.

It was a day my sister needed to be upheld in prayer.

I failed her.

I was too crabby to read or pray.

We didn't use this situation to point accusing fingers at one another,

but to recognize the work of the accuser of the brethren.

Now, when we get a case of the

just-because-crabbies,

we fight it off with is this prayer,

 "Father, who needs my prayer today?

Who is the enemy trying to leave unprotected?"

It is spiritual warfare,

and we cannot fight with crabs in our hands,

we need weapons.

Most of us are familiar with the armor of God

in Ephesians 6.

But, do you know WHAT we do after we put on the armor?

^verse18

 "...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,

being watchful to this end

with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints..."

Fight off those

just-because-crabbies

so you can

pray.