The past two years of my life have been some of the most difficult yet. I won't hold back and will go as far as saying that there have been periods of time I would label as pure hell. I could never have imagined the things that would take place. I could not ever begin to even scratch the surface in explaining it. We all have these times and we all know that the only people that will ever understand are you and our Creator God.
Why does he allows these things to happen? He tells us through James in chapter 1:2- 4 that we should be joyful WHEN, not if, the afflictions come because those sufferings will produce character and maturity.
"2-Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3-because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4-Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Easier said than done right? Look a little further down in chapter two to verse five...
"5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him"
Yeah, guess what? God is there to help.
Are you exhausted???
RISE UP and BE COMFORTED! FOR THE LORD IS GOOD TO THE WEARY!
Isaiah 40:28-31
" 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth.He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
Have you felt:
Scared? Scarred? Anxious? Nervous? Bitter? Sad? Weak? Weary? Wounded? Exhausted? Manipulated? Deceived? Faint of heart? Used? Ignorant? Vulnerable? Naive? Beat down? Tired? or Destroyed?
Well, we are commanded to:
Ephesians 4:31-32
"31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Whew! Thats not easy! But my loves, these battles were not, in fact, about the circumstances or people involved, they were direct hits from satan himself. I dont know about you but I am tired of the devil stealing from me and I will not let him have one more thing. Ephesians 6:12 says:
"12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms"
My minister of music at Olive Baptist recently shared a song with our Praise Team over summer called "Waging War". It immediately became my daily anthem and I encourage you to proclaim it as well. (the lyrics and link to hear it are at the end of this post)
1 Peter 5:8-10
" 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.10And 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. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen"
Whatever it is that you battle today, Take comfort in knowing that the battle has been won. You are loved, you have a purpose, you are meant for more that this.
I am waging war! I'm ready for battle! I'm ready to win! Are you?
A Prayer:
Father God,Anoint me as I journey head on into this battlefield.
You have a plan for me and I ask that you use my struggles for your glory. Lord, I have been broken. But you are Jehovah Rapha- the God who HEALS me! Turn my bitter into sweet! Turn my anger into joy! Turn my mourning into dancing! I come before you raw, exposed, transparent, and vulnerable. Renew me, use me, heal me, rejuvenate me, restore me, mold me, shape me, cleanse me, work me, teach me! Lord, I am nothing without you. Prepare me, lead me and walk beside me. Clothe me with your strength. God, go before me and shield my way. I am waging war!
-Kathryn
Waging War
Anoint my head anoint my feet
Send your angels raining down
Here on the battle ground
For your glory
Were taking territory
Fighting unseen enemies
Like never before
Were Waging War
[Bridge:]
I'm tired of principalities
Messing with me
(Waging war)
I'm tired of the devil
Stealing from me
(Waging war)
I promise he won't get
One more thing
(Waging war)
I'm taking it back
Taking territory
(Waging war)
I'm ready for the battle
I'm ready to win
(Waging war)
My weapon of power
He lives within
(Waging war)
I can't be defeated
The enemy gotta flee
(waging war)
I'm taking it back
Taking territory
Going into battle
Going into battle
Be my sword
Be my shield
As we claim the victory
Over the enemy
In your name
You rule and rain
Never being defeat
Anymore
Were waging war
[Bridge]
Send your fire
Send your fire
[Bridge 2:]
Fire by night
Cloud by day
A strong tower
Send the latter rain
Lion of Judah
Lord, God,
Mighty In battle
Since you did
It back then
We know you'll do
It again
Were going into battle
Were going into battle
[Bridge 2]
Waging war
Listen to WAGING WAR here!!!
Amen, Miss Kathryn! Three people have asked me to pray this week, for they feel specific Satanic attacks. What a timely word for me as I share victorious truth with them.
ReplyDeleteLove it Kathryn. Love love love it! Press on and press in to His presence beloved! The One who holds the victory holds you as well!
ReplyDelete