Lots of people talk about spiritual battles, I have heard some sermons about them. I knew that they were real, but I had never understood much about them until recently.
Let me just tell you that whatever you are facing right now, Jesus is right in the middle with you. In the pain, heartbreak, confusions, disappointments, grief, sadness, sufferings, I want you to know that you will NEVER be alone because our father loves you, he has a plan for you and will make a way for you. Peace and joy will come when you fully surrender everything you are feeling and are going through to the one who truly sets us free.
Just like it says in this worship song, ‘Way maker, Miracle worker, Promise keeper, Light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are!’
Before you read my story, just let that sink in. Think it over. That you have a saviour and friend who is fighting for you, who is with you, a father who will never leave nor forsake you.
This story is about my own personal experience with a spiritual battle that has helped me to grow closer to my Lord and Saviour. I surrendered everything to Jesus and He pulled me out of the despair, doubt, fear, and worry that the devil had placed there.
Trust me friend, there is freedom in the name of Jesus! Every chain will be broken. There is fullness of joy in his presence!
It all started before Christmas last year, lots of things were happening. This was a few months after I had broken up with my ex boyfriend. My friends were getting married and I felt like I would never find someone to marry. One afternoon many months ago I decided the only way to get over the feelings was to give them over to God.
‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERY situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’
Philippians 4:6
This is exactly what I did.
During my prayer and worship time, I had an overwhelming sense of love, not just the love we give and receive as humans, but a much deeper and never-ending love which I knew only comes from my maker, my heavenly father God. In that moment, the holy spirit led me to lift up my hands and I said ‘Jesus, all I want is you. I don't need anyone else to be happy. You are all I need.’
Ever since I declared that, the devil has tried to make every day very difficult. Something that happened in my past has been dragged back up by the devil. It isn't until you are in a spiritual battle that you then understand how strong and difficult it is to pull away. For so long I have been very depressed and the devil tried to take away and destroy my identity and joy in Jesus.
I kept on thinking how is this happening to me, why is this happening to me. I know I am saved and Jesus is the one my heart adores. But the spirit said, ‘you are growing into the woman of God I need you to be, I am opening your eyes to my power and might. You can do all things through God who gives you strength.’
I know that it is easy for people to read this and say well ‘you know that you have been set free through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’ ‘there is no condemnation in His name!’ No matter how much you know these things in your heart, the devil is still a prowling lion, a sneaky serpent ready to destroy any little bit of your life that He can.
But, it wasn't my heart that needed renewing, it was my mind. I was still stuck in my past, I needed Jesus to break every chain as it was causing me to not be able to move into the season God wants me in. I needed to go through this battle to learn how powerful and transforming my God is. He can transform the impossible and make it possible. He is the impossible God. I needed a breakthrough and my mind renewed.
‘Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.’
Romans 12:2
God’s will is perfect for all of us. In order for us to walk in it, we need to be renewed. We need to stop focusing on the world views and the devil's schemes and focus on our heavenly father.
I am writing this so whether you are going through a battle right now or will in the future, I just want you to be ready. Especially because when the devil accuses you of things, you can and will stand firm on the word of God and who He calls you! His beloved sons and daughters!
We are all loved, chosen, worthy, accepted, set free, forgiven, righteous and restored children of God. There is restoration in His name! In the name of Jesus!
I want you to know that the devil is a father of lies, nothing positive, nothing life-giving in your head is from Him. He doesn't want you to succeed. But no matter the intensity of the battle you are in or will face, our heavenly father is much more powerful than any stronghold the devil has on you. We no longer have to be afraid! We should not live in fear, we need to rise up and speak out the truth. We are God’s beautiful children and have been made for a purpose.
I am so grateful for Jesus! If there is one thing I have known in this season is that He has been my rock and my refuge during this time. I am so overwhelmed by his grace and his goodness. I hope that by you reading this blog, you may know how to overcome the lies and schemes of the devil and to step into freedom with Jesus and win victoriously! With Jesus, anything is possible.
One thing I have been reminded by the spirit through this battle is that what I did took place before I became a christian and the holy spirit has been reminding me that no matter what the devil says or tries to convince us of, we are new! We have been made new!
‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!.’
2 Corinthians 5:17
We are now in Christ Jesus and can live with our heads held high because our saviour is right by our side, come rain or shine. He is our helper in time of need. No matter what we are going through, it is going to be okay because Jesus has changed us and made us new. We are no longer our past, it no longer defines us. Jesus is the only one who defines us. We are His and will forever be.
‘And not only that, but we also rejoice in our affiliations (sufferings), because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the holy spirit who was given to us.’
Romans 5: 3-4
No matter what storm we go through, we can rejoice and be happy because we know that battles help us to grow closer and more into the purpose God has for us. God is our refuge and hiding place. He will always fight every battle for us! Let's not lose hope in what God is teaching us and helping us to grow through in this season.
Ephesians 6 is one of my favourite chapters because it helps us to know that christian warfare is real. But that we should strengthen ourselves on God’s word, on the Lord and His vast strength.
’For this reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness like for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit - which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the spirit with every prayer and request, stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.’
Ephesians 6:13-18
Everything we face in life will not harm us or hurt us when we put on the full armor of God. God’s armor is what we need to fight the battles and the struggles that come our way. There is no ordinary battle, and it calls for extraordinary armor. This armor is ALL HIS - His truth, His righteousness, His salvation and His word.
Let’s have faith and trust that our heavenly father is with us come every battle, He loves us and cares about us, so much so that He sent His only begotten son to die for us, so we can have everlasting life in heaven for all eternity. What a beautiful promise!
God bless,
Much love,
Lois (Founder of The Art of Everyday blog.)
Kommentare