I just can’t stay down, no matter how many times I fall. Quitting is not in my spiritual DNA. I know that frustrates my enemy and I’m ok with that. My Heavenly Father will always pick me up. He will always fight my battles. I will always win because I have the Lord God Almighty on my side.
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” Proverbs 24:16 NIV
I feel like I’m not good enough all the time. That’s why I don’t rely on myself, I rely on the One who is inside of me. He is Jesus, my Lord and Savior. He is the God of More than Enough. I can do all things through Him. Nothing is impossible-not even moving mountains.
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV
Thank You, Lord, that even in the midst of our trials, we can have joy because we know that we have an Almighty God beside us. You give us peace that surpasses all understanding because we know that in our weakness, You are our strength.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” James 1:2 NIV
Recognize the strategies of your enemy. The closer you get to your blessing, the more you will experience attacks. The more you speak God’s Word, the more the enemy will try to silence you. The more you love, the more opportunities you’ll be given to hate. When attacks come, that’s when you must pray harder, speak louder and love fiercer. Don’t let the enemy steal the blessings that God has meant for you.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
All things are in God’s timing. Even if something looks dead, it’s not finished until God says so. Ignore the voices that say, “it’s over…just give up…it’s hopeless.” These are all lies of the enemy to keep you from doing what God has called you to do. Listen to the promises of God. If He said it, it’s as good as done, just as long as you stay the course and don’t give up.
“The Lord works everything to it’s proper end.” Proverbs 16:4 NIV
Who you walk with during a storm is important. There are some who allow the storm to blow them in any which way. They’re rooted in the world and moved by what they see. The storm dictates their moods and attitudes, so they may be seem unpredictable. Their concern is survival by any means necessary. When the storm is over they are broken and weak.
Then there are others who remain unmovable during a storm. They are rooted in the promises of God and not moved by what they see. They are constant and stable because the storm does not dictate their moods or attitudes. They’re concern is overcoming the storm. After the storm, they are stronger and whole.
No one should attempt to go through a storm alone but remember to choose wisely when deciding who to walk with.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 NIV
“He asked me, ‘Son of Man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘Sovereign Lord, you alone know.'” Ezekiel 37:3 NIV
Rejection after rejection and heartache after heartache, I felt pieces of me fall away. Every mistake and willful act of disobedience carved more pieces off of me until I was only a pile of dry bones. With my hope long since deteriorated, I let the wind scatter my bones all about the open valley. I thought, surely, God no longer has use for me. I’ll just accept my mediocre existence in life. I will lie here and wait until the wind carries my bones away. But God…
God looked at my brittle, scattered bones and saw an opportunity to rebuild and restore. He saw another one of His masterpieces. “No, Satan, you can not have my daughter,” He said. “She is my chosen servant whom I have not rejected. Before she was born I appointed her to be a light in the darkness. I called her to spread My Word. I called her to show the world My love.”
The Lord’s hand came upon me and He said to me, ” arise, My beloved daughter. Come to life.”
There is nothing impossible for God, not even death. Don’t give up on any of His promises. It doesn’t matter how many times you have fallen or what anyone says about you. God is the God of Resurrection. He will restore you and your dreams.
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:5-6 NIV
“They said, ‘The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendents of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes and we looked the same to them.'” Numbers 13:32-33 NIV
I was given the vision and told what to do and where to go. It was such a huge and impossible dream that it could have only come from God. It scared me but the Lord kept encouraging me. He told me to be strong and courageous. He told me that He would never leave me nor forsake me. All things would work out for my good if I only believed. I believed.
Armed with His love and His Word, I stepped out on faith to do what He called me to do. Before I could even step out of the boat, I saw giants. Hold up…wait a minute, I thought. The Lord never mentioned that there would be giants. He also failed to mention all the other powerful enemies waiting for me. Everyone is bigger, stronger and more skilled than I am. I don’t think I belong here.
Lord, do you see those giants waiting to devour me? They’re laughing because they know I’m about to be squashed. Wouldn’t I have been better off if I had just stayed in the land of mediocrity? I may not have done great things there but I would still be alive. I’m too far to go back so what I’m supposed to do now?
I stayed in my pity party for quite some time. I watched the giants enjoy the land that I was supposed to have. They mocked me and turned their noses up at me. Finally, the Lord had enough. He said, “didn’t I tell you to be strong and courageous? Have I not given you clear instructions? Did I not get you through the wilderness? Was I not there to pick you up every single time you fell? Did I not heal your wounds? What cause have I given you to doubt me now?
Gulp. He was right. I have faced battles with enemies that were stronger and more skilled before and each time God gave me the victory. I seriously needed to repent and give God praise.
After I received God’s forgiveness and thanked Him for His mercy, I stood up and held my head up high. The Lord is with me and I will not be afraid.
Look out, giants, here I come.
“The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” Numbers 14:9 NIV
“‘There is nothing there,’ he said. Seven times Elijah said, ‘Go back.’ The seventh time the servant reported, ‘A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.'” 1 Kings 18:43:44 NIV
I’ve heard God’s promises. I believe in my heart that they will be fulfilled. Every day I wake up and I expect them to appear. I look from the north to the south and from the east and to the west yet, I still see nothing. Where in the world are they? Did they get lost somewhere? I know that God is not like man that He would lie so if He said He would do it, He’s going to do it.
I have to admit things are getting a little crazy around here and I’m tempted to get weary. I could really use a manifestation or two right about now. It doesn’t even have to be really big, it could be something small, just a little something to keep my hopes up.
I look yet again. Wait, is that what I think it is? Is that a small cloud in the distance? Let Your rain come, Lord. I’m ready to receive Your outpourings from heaven. I know it will be worth the wait.
Don’t ever give up on God!
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
“Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
Sometimes life can feel like a never ending fight. Every problem that arises can feel like a punch from a UFC fighter. With every blow you feel weaker. Battered and bruised, you call out to the Lord for help but all you hear is silence. Maybe it’s time to just tap out. If you tap out maybe the attacks will stop because you would no longer be a threat to the enemy. You could finally get some peace.
So, you make the decision to stop praying and reading the Bible as much as you used to but the attacks still come. Ok, so maybe, you should stop going to church for a little while. The attacks only become worse. At this point, you’re becoming angry with God. How could He let His child struggle like this?
I’m sure by now, you’re starting to get a sense for where this road is leading. Definitely, no where pretty, that’s for sure. This is why as a believer, tapping out is not an option. You will always be a threat to the enemy because as long as you have breath, you are a potential carrier of the Word of God. You are also a potential beacon of hope and light. The enemy’s mission is to take you out by any means necessary and sometimes that means making you do the work for him. Don’t make his job easier. Fight the good fight of faith. God hears your call and He is already making a way. You just have to keep fighting until you see it.
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 NIV
Balm 4 the Soul 