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James 1: 13-14
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Ephesians 6:11
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Spiritually, I feel healthy. I feel God’s presence in my life and I’m actively spending time with him. Emotionally, however, I’m really struggling you guys. Satan knows what to hit me with. He has been trying for several weeks and I’m ashamed to say, a few times (okay… more than a few) he has succeeded. To be completely honest with you, most days I feel really bummed out and exhausted. So I am fighting back and here’s how:
- Identify my weaknesses
- Arm myself with biblical truths
- Learn to distinguish when I am being attacked
- Pray boldly and intentionally
My weaknesses I’ve known. They are not news to me:Self-doubt and Men (though maybe I should change this to loneliness, because it’s the companionship I really desire the most. Which in itself is not necessarily bad, but when it becomes a distraction…it is).
Alright, Weaknesses identified (and shared). Check!
Now I need to look at some biblical truths to arm myself with in defense of these attacks.
- I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
- I was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)
- Satan will try to use difficult times and weaknesses to tempt me (Luke 4:13) (James 1:13-14)
- God has a plan for me (psalm 139:16)
- God has already defeated satan (Matthew 28)
Biblical truths, Done! (How awesome is our God and His word?!)
Now I need to be able to identify when satan is tempting me. I have collected a few thoughts that have been planted into my mind recently.
“I am separated or unable to connect with my teammates”– satan! He wants me to feel disconnected and lonely. I am more vulnerable that way.
“Did I make the right choice about not dating that man?” -satan trying to distract me and divert me from my path.
“He/she wouldn’t want to be friends with me because I am not good enough/smart enough/cute enough/funny enough/just enough”– satan! He wants me to feel inadequate to deter me from doing the Lords work.
“I am going to die single because I can’t actually imagine a man liking me/loving me enough to put up with me. Oh and if I do happen to find one, I won’t like them.” -satan! Once again he is distracting me from focusing on God and making me feel inadequate at the same time.
“They all love her because she is funnier/smarter/more outgoing. I wish I were more like her”. -satan! There he goes with the inadequacy again. Satan, get behind me with that mess. Be original.
So, Possible attacks…Knowing what to look for…got it. Check!
Guys, truthfully I’ve been having these spiritual attacks for several weeks and I’ve foolishly been facing them without the proper armor. I hadn’t been spending as much intentional time with my savior. You don’t go into battle without preparing yourself mentally and physically to fight right? Well arming myself with biblical truths is an important part of my defense against satan… But I still need more. I need fervent, passionate, intentional, bold prayers. I need to spend time talking with, crying to, shouting praises to and being loved on by God each morning, each night and even at times in between. I need to ask Him to guard me from these attacks, to help me identify them quicker. I need to be vigilant. A soldier doesn’t just bebop out onto the battle ground focusing on distractions. He/She is intentional, on guard, trained and ready for a possible attack. Prayer is everything. It is my way of staying focused and being ready for anything satan throws at me. It prepares my mind, heart and spirit. How can I be prepared if I am not intentionally and consistently asking God for guidance, strength and discernment?
If I arm myself with these things, will I be 100% successful in thwarting (I just really wanted to use that word) the enemy? No. I’m not perfect, I will fail sometimes..more than I would like to admit actually. Luckily, It’s not up to me to be perfect and defeat the snake of a tempter. Jesus has already defeated him for me!. It is only up to me to resist his temptations/attacks and to keep my eyes on Jesus.
My prayer this week:
Dear Lord, prepare me for these spiritual attacks. Give me insight in knowing when I am being tempted and when I am more venerable to being tempted. Help me to remember your word and keep my eyes on you and your unwavering strength and love. Thank you Lord for being my savior so I don’t have to. If I were relying on myself to earn salvation, I’d be in sad shape. Thank you for giving me hope and loving me when I don’t deserve it. Praise, honor and glory be to your name. Amen!
