In nearing the end, I wanted to share many of the things God has taught me over this year. My prayer is that when I return home everyone will be able to see that God has changed me. I do not want to return the same person I left as. Regardless of its visibility, I want to share the inner workings of God in my heart.
God has drastically changed my view of prayer. Before, I rarely prayed, not just because I was “busy” but because I did not truly believe in its power. I have seen prayer move grand things (for instance, casting out a demon) to God showing up in miniscule details. There have been multiple times where I prayed over meals to not make me sick; other times, I have prayed for safety in times where we realistically should not have been left alone. Despite the situation, I know that in every place God has heard our prayers and those from all of you at home; thank you for that. I will not return with the same dull view of prayer. I finally understand why Paul says repeatedly to churches, “Pray without ceasing;” it has so much power from God.
I have learned so much about standing firm in my faith, no matter what the circumstances are. There have been multiple situations this year where I have had to dig in and be rooted in Christ, unwilling to cave. I know that God has used these situations to strengthen each one of us in what we believe. We have had to put into action what Ephesians 6 says, “Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm.” (v. 13) Satan has, without a doubt, attempted to take us down in many ways, but Jesus has shown us how to fight this battle.
My eyes have been opened to the constant spiritual war going on around us. Although I do not have the gift to see angels and demons, multiple friends of mine do have that gift. This year has awakened my awareness of the spiritual battle. Even if I cannot physically see them, I know the battle is raging around us, as Ephesians 6:12 says. God has also tuned in my spiritual gift of discernment to this as well. There have been multiple months with extreme difficulty in sleeping, only to later discover horrible things were happening around that area, spiritually and physically. Many people have woken up with intense paralyzing fear only to find out a demon was hovering over them. Even in walking at night, I have seen pure hatred in the eyes of a turning head, such intense hatred that could only be spiritually linked. In all of this, I love to see how Jesus has been there in every moment we have called on Him. One of my favorite passages is 2 Kings 6, where Elisha prays for his servant’s eyes to be opened to the spiritual realm before a large battle.
“[Elisha] said, ‘Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, please open His eyes that He may see.’ So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (v. 16-17)
God has been working in so many other ways; however, I decided that if I wrote a blog about them all, I suppose you would have to scroll for forever and it would make your hand sore. I voted to spare you from that and instead share in person when I return home…in 34 days….not that I’m counting. 😀
