I love a good battle scar.
I like to think of them as old friends, reminders that God is my ultimate Healer.
I’ve also noticed that people like to hide them. Out of embarrassment or shame, pain even. People will do everything they can to cover up a scar, pretend it doesn’t exist, try to forget that it ever happened.
I’ve been there, but not tonight.
The question I’ve been getting a lot lately: “WHY THE WORLD RACE!?” It was only when people finally started to ask that I couldn’t find a truly satisfying answer.
*cue the Enemy’s battle cries*
“Nichol, you don’t have what it takes for this.” “Everyone has raised more support than you.” “You’re totally unequipped and inadequate.” “You can’t even love people well here, let alone out there.” “This can’t be part of God’s plan for you, there’s no way.”
I’m talking about spiritual battle scars, by the way. From wounds that cut deep and take what feels like an eternity to heal. Truth be told, I should have prepared my heart for the battle (but I didn’t). Instead, I allowed the weight of deception to sink in just long enough to become disguised as truth.
End result: Broken, but not defeated (because here comes the best part…)
JESUS HAS ALREADY CLAIMED THE VICTORY. I let myself forget this, time #6237182. A simple truth, concealed by the lies that Satan crafted uniquely for me (like seriously, what a jerk wad).
I shouldn’t have been surprised, really. The entire squad has experienced a healthy dose of spiritual warfare over the past month, and I’ve honestly never had an attack run so deep; however, the period of shameful self-pity that pulled me far from God has now transformed into a humble reflection of joy and celebration.
When mountains are in threat of being moved, the Enemy will do everything he can to prevent God’s children from being used to do it. & I truly believe that the vehement opposition we’re facing from the Enemy is a huge testament to the fact that God IS going to move mountains over these next 11 months. Talk about bringing darkness into light, even my goosebumps have goosebumps!
I attended the Passion Conference this past January, and Levi Lusko had something to say about our dealings with the Enemy: “He [Jesus] didn’t save us so we wouldn’t go to Hell, He saved us so we would shake the very gates of Hell.”
Wow, such a powerful message! I’m ready to put it into practice.
If you would consider praying for me, I would love prayer for patience. For trust that God will provide for me, that He will put to use what He puts me through, that He will equip me for the journey ahead! On my own, I really don’t have what it takes to do this. That’s why I’m relying fully on His strength to carry me through.
The wound may still be fresh, but I have a feeling that our good Father is going to transform it into the biggest, gnarliest battle scar yet; so bring it on, Satan! I could use a few more reminders.
Matthew 28:19-20
