This Is War

We're all struggling, all fighting the same battles, facing the same ugly lies. We're all in the same boat. We think we are the only ones facing it- but were not. Yes, the attacks against you are personalized, wrapped up with a bow especially for you, but the attack is nothing new. No new battle plan was drawn up specifically to tear you down. To rob you of your joy, to divide your family and scatter them to the wind.

It's nothing new, at one point or another we've all been there. Right in your shoes, our feet just as tired as tears spilled down our cheeks... One of my biggest attacks is against my confidence... every time I am about to do something I hear a kid from this church dance program, it had been my first day. I was super shy, almost cripplingly so. But I was there because my twin sister really wanted to do it. It had been a really long Wednesday and I still had choir afterward. I guess my ballet or tap dancing lessons messed with what the teacher was asking us all to do because I kept messing up. This girl had never liked me, I usually tried to avoid her. But that day she was parked right next to me as my six year old feet messed up the moves.

She of course noticed and said “Don't you even know what you're doing?” those few words crushed me. That was the last class I went to. Several months after that I dropped out of choir too. Every time I go to hit 'Publish' every time my finger hovers over the 'send' button I hear her voice. “Do you even know what you are doing?” Since then through the help of some amazing people I have grown less shy. It still hard sometimes, but the hardest part about trying something new, reaching out is banishing her voice.

Not all of the devils attacks are black and white- you don't always see them as what they are - attacks. Sometimes they just look like a few mean words. But words stick with you, long after bones heal and bruises disappear.

Realize them for what they are, attacks meant to pull you to your knees. To drop you in your tracks. Whenever you are moving forward in your faith he is going to attack you. He will do whatever it takes to take you out and neutralize you as a threat. And that is exactly what you are, a threat. Every time you reach out and share the gospel, every time you hit publish on a blog post, every time you hit your knees for a friend or family member or someone hurting. Every time you cover a missionary in prayer you are picking up your armor and going to war and the devil doesn't like that

He likes you weak, broken down and hurting because when you are focused on the pain; on the hurt you can't be reaching a broken world.

Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere Ephesians 6:18-19

Stand your ground. Realize these attacks- and who is behind them and then run for your heavenly father's arms. Because even when the whole world is crumbling down, He is right there. Ready to battle with and for you. He is there to pick up the pieces when you get knocked down and put you together again.

So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. James 4:7Amplified Bible (AMP)

The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.” Exodus 14:14 Amplified Bible (AMP)