Spiritual Attack
Ever since I got accepted to the World Race, I have had nightmares almost nightly. I didn't think much of this because I have had nightmares pretty regularly for as long as I can remember (except for the few months between my recommitment to Christ and my acceptance to the World Race, that is). I just assumed that my nightmares were a normal part of my life.
I was riding in the work van with my friend Phil the other day when my nightmares came up in conversation. I had not thought of it before, but he said that it was probably a spiritual attack from the enemy because I had committed to the World Race. It just clicked when he said it that he was absolutely right. I had signed up to spend eleven months traveling to eleven different countries to spread the gospel, and to pray for people, and to love people, and possibly even cast out demons. Why wouldn't the enemy try to throw a wrench in that plan?
The nightmares that I have come in different forms. Some I don't remember. Some are your standard fighting someone or something nightmares. Some are falling nightmares. Most commonly though are the "Dope Dreams". Dreams where I am using drugs or drinking.
"Dope Dreams" or "Drug Dreams" are something that all addicts have while they are using and even after they have found sobriety. Basically in the dream you are using drugs or drinking and you really think it is happening. When I was still using, these dreams would make me really want to go out and get high. They wouldn't wake me up because they weren't nightmares. Now when I have these dreams, I wake up sweating and angry at myself for ruining my sobriety. There is nothing remotely pleasant about them anymore. The good news is that as soon as I wake up, I realize it wasn't real and I know that the desire to use has been taken from me. I say a prayer and fall right back asleep.
I know now that the enemy is trying to use these dreams in the same way he always has. In the past, they would make me obsess over going out and finding a way to get high. All he can do is take what has worked in the past and try to replicate it. What he obviously isn't accounting for is the Holy Spirit living inside me. All he accomplishes is making me wake up for a few seconds each night. My bladder does more than that. I know that he is going to keep trying. He will probably even up his game the closer I get to my launch date in July. As much as he tries, he can't win. My God is greater and I will use prayer as my weapon in this war between good and evil. When it comes to spiritual warfare, there is no stronger WMD than the Holy Spirit.
If this is happening to me, I know my squadmates are experiencing something similar. The enemy will do what ever he can to try to keep us from entering the battleground. I ask that you please not only pray for me, but for my squadmates as well. God has called all of us to band together and fight evil on a global level in order to spread His kingdom. He is faithful. He will be right there with us all the way. Thanks for taking the time to read my Blog and again, thanks for the prayers! Love Y'all!!!
