So, next week I get to go back to my dermatologist to have two more areas of cancerous tissue removed from my skin. It was just two years ago that I had the first cancerous area cut out. At that time I said I’d learned my lesson about not wearing my sunscreen and that from here on out I would faithfully apply that protective lotion to my body before heading out to work in the garden.

But I got lazy.

Oh sure, I’d only go out for a few minutes and hide in the shade, thinking this little bit wouldn’t hurt. I’d always make sure my scar was covered so it wouldn’t get darker and uglier.

But now – again – I must have these painful procedures to cut away all of the bad stuff from my body. It would have been so much easier to just put on that sunscreen as part of my morning routine…a sunscreen habit.

It’s interesting that both of my morning devotionals, written years apart, highlighted this verse:

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

If I am to be protected by this promise of God I must apply it daily – like sunscreen that protects skin from the damaging rays of the sun. The protection won’t just happen if I am not actively applying it in my daily life.

First – submit myself to God…humbly and completely. If I’ve already submitted to God why would I submit to the devil!?

Second – resist! Resist in God’s strength – actively standing firm – standing against the devil! Don’t. Give. In.

And he will flee. That’s a promise!

Lord, I don’t want to conform any longer to my old patterns. Help me, please, to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, so I make “sunscreen” a habit. Thank You for the promise that the devil will flee when I resist him and submit to You!