I started out the month here in Draganesti Olt, Romania feeling very fearful everyday. I hated the feeling but I couldn’t shake it. Walking down the street to the church was the worst. I was over cautious. Every person that walked by me I would eye, wondering if they were going to try to take my things or hurt me. My mind was going crazy with those kinds of thoughts. I didn’t get why I was thinking this way or why I felt so fearful being here. I told my team how I felt and our contact was informed as well.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. -Ephesians 6:12
Our contact told us that there is a lot of witchcraft in this area and that the spiritual warfare is real and strong. Hearing that was more encouraging than it may sound. I realized that the fear I was feeling was not simply my own thoughts. It was something more than just me, something that was beyond me as a human. I was a part of a battle that was not visible but I could feel it inside of me. The fear I felt was real but it was not an attack on me, but on the Spirit that lives in me.
The enemy wasn’t happy that I showed up to Draganesti Olt at the beginning of the month and he wanted to do everything that he could to keep me from doing the work that the Lord had for me here. He threw his fiery darts of fear at me to try and keep me in a fearful state so that I wouldn’t be able to serve the Lord the best I can here. Everyday I would pray and ask for the fear to go away.
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
Exodus 14:14
The Lord showed me that my prayers had been heard and I didn’t need to worry about overcoming my fear on my own. He assured me that He would fight for me in this battle and that His peace would flow into me. All I had to do was trust Him and stand firm in His goodness and love. Since that moment I felt completely different. I feel light and free from the chains of fear I carried with me when I first arrived here. I can walk down the street with confidence, knowing that my God is protecting my every step. And I can look at people and smile, giving them a glimpse of God’s love for them. The enemy tried his best to foil the plans God had for me here in Romania but my God bigger and more powerful and He wouldn’t allow that to happen.
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Rest him, steadfast in faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
1 Peter 5:7-9
