Question: Is it good or bad when the first words out of the box stab you in the heart? Just wondering because that’s what happens with Tripp’s opening statement:

Today, a war of love will be fought on the turf of my heart. Will I be ruled by love for God or for some other lover?

Let’s face it: my love for God will always be challenged. The war for supremacy is never-ending. I will always want too much. I will always want control. I will always fight where I want my affections to be grounded and where I want them to be satisfied.  Always.

Perhaps the biggest is what Tripp says: “a desire for a good thing becomes a bad thing when that desire becomes a ruling thing.” He goes on to add meat to that: “When good things become controlling, they command the affection of my heart and then shape my words and behavior. When this happens, they take the place in my heart that only God should have.”

“Father, the battle rages. Always. Who will have my affections? You want them. I need to give them to you. May my desire today be for you. May you be all I need and the One I cling to.”