This is something that God has been laying on my heart
since my FIRST connection with the World Race…
I tell my friends.
I tell family.
I tell anyone that I talk to about the Race.
“OPPOSITION IS AFFIRMATION”
Now, this is not to say that anything that is opposite what you think you are called to do is affirmation that you are supposed to do it- it could be God shutting a door- which, a lot of people have recently been telling me. BUT, when you are doing God’s will for you, something that He has called you to do and you get shunned, discouraged, OPPPOSED- that, my friend, is affirmation.
Because,
SATAN is only going to put forth effort and attack WHERE God’s will and work are being done. When God’s work is stagnant Satan is not going to waste time opposing anything- there is nothing to oppose. Opposition sucks, I know, but it is also so good because it lets you see that you are posing a threat to Satan in his warfare against God. (Warfare which he has already lost(!), by the way)
This brings me to my next point: we, as Christians, are targets to Satan. Satan thinks that any discouragement or sin from Christians, God’s children, hinders God’s work from being done and ultimately hinders God.
He thinks that that is a victory for him. He will attack again and again to get that “victory”
He will shoot Christians down with discouraging thoughts, frustrating news and opposition.
We, Christians, are walking targets for satan.
I’m not sure what your current situation on opposition is. I know people that are going through opposition and I’m sure that there are many many more. I just want you all to know that you are not alone in your trials!
On a side note: I recently decided that this pre race season of life might be harder for me than when I am actually on the race. I’ve been really discouraged recently. A really good friend that is also going on the race shared this idea with me: Satan is not the one actually physically messing with us. Satan is not omnipresent, so wouldn’t it make sense that he is messing with a Job? (Job- the man in the Bible, not a job- lol) A great minister, pastor, or missionary doing HUGE things for God? My discouragement suddenly seemed very insignificant and easier to handle. Let me say right now: Praise GOD for Great Encouraging Friends!
************************************************************************************************
I also just wanna mention all these storms and the bad weather that is facing several parts of our country right now. I don’t know if y’all have seen or heard of some of this stuff but there is a picture going around of a family whose house is in ruins. On a huge wall that was torn down, in the front of the picture, there are words written: “WE WILL PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM!”
That. That is how I want to be in the face of opposition/discouragement.
I heard of a family in Arkansas. There were six kids. (like six in my family) Two of the girls and the father died in the storms. One of the remaining girls posted, “The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
That. That is how I want to be in the face of opposition/discouragement.
***********************************************************************************************
<3 Ash
