Over the past few weeks I’ve had numerous people ask me how my time out (in the states) has been. If I’ve been able to renew my spirit – get rested up – spend quality time with God ? My leading response is a smile and a nod! Of course all is well!
But – Honestly – No.
I personally believe we developed language because of our deep inner need to complain. I’m trying SO hard not to – but I’m ANGRY. I know that everyone in the world has their own issues. Just like me – they worry how they’re going to pay their bills. How they’re going to TRULY protect their children. How they’re going to find strength and courage to deal with life’s disappointments, hurts, pain, frustrations, & all the things that just aren’t fair.
I think these past few weeks in general have been some of the hardest weeks we’ve had in a very long time. I have felt so personally attacked by satan. He knows every single button to push to make me worry. He knows how to manipulate every single thought I have. He knows my struggles. He knows where to hit EVERY SINGLE TIME so that I’m defeated and left in tears.
Tonight I closed my bedroom door and simply fell to my knees. I am mentally maxed out. I know that God can’t even speak to me when my mind is so cluttered. Have you ever had someone whisper to you across the room during a rock concert? Probably not. I know that when my mind is clanging and banging there is no way I could hear Him speak to me.
I learned from Joyce Meyers: You Can’t Have a Positive Life and A Negative Mind. My life will not get straightened out until my mind does. I have to be serious about tearing down the strongholds Satan has built in my mind. I have to combat it with the weapons of the Word, praise, and prayer.
So tonight I grabbed my Bible – my boxing gloves…..and started swinging!
Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned or scorched, nor with the flame kindle upon you.
1 Peter 5:10 – And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Psalm 42:5- Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Isaiah 30:18 – Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Romans 8:26 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
The Holy Spirit desires to bring us encouragement and enlightenment! BUT – the mind will miss what the Spirit is trying to reveal – if it’s too noisy. Too busy. Too overwhelmed. Too angry. Too frustrated. Too cluttered. Too negative.
The devil will give up when he sees that you aren’t going to give in!
Time to start fighting back!