It is crazy just how present Satan is in times that we are SO driven towards Jesus. I never truly understood how much the enemy craves our failure until now.
We are here in Serbia literally living out our purpose in the name of Jesus and though things have been fantastic and our spiritual roots have been firmly and deeply planted in the soil here at Kamp Mrcajevci, Satan STILL lurks in the shadows and attempts to plant roots of his own; roots similar to the suffocating grip of a snake. We are all human, we all have weaknesses no matter how small and Satan is so very aware of them.
I am writing this not only to remind myself but to remind YOU that we need to be alert and sober minded in the fact that there will ALWAYS be spiritual warfare. BUT in that battle, Satan will continue to be no match as long as you put ALL of your trust and faith in the Lord.
So, to give you a little bit of insight into mine and my team’s spiritual warfare, I have honestly been struggling more than I thought I would the past week. I am the type of person who absolutely loves people but I absolutely need alone time and space to recharge. In my mind, alone time is escaping to my room in solitude and watching Netflix or reading for hours on end.. On the race that is quite literally impossible. We are a community here, and by community I mean we wake up together, we eat together, we spend all day together, we nap together, we all sleep in the same room together.. basically the only time we get alone is when we are using the bathroom and even that is questionable. (say it with me guys, “community”)
I’m not going to lie and say it’s been easy because like I have said, for me specifically it has been REALLY HARD. I have been so easily irritable and annoyed at someone even talking to me when I am so very much in need of some time alone. It is not something I am proud of but I am truly trying to be transparent with you all. I honest to goodness believe that Satan knows that specific weakness of mine and he attempted to light a flame of doubt deep inside me. I would wake up thinking,
“I don’t know if I can do this for 11 months. I can’t be around people 24-7. This is ridiculous and I just want to be ALONE.”
I admit that Satan had definitely lit a flame.. and I was unintentionally allowing it. By the grace of God I have been blessed with 5 other teammates, and they saw that I was struggling and every. single. time. they were all able to pull me out of my irritable and moody thoughts. Satan had a hold on me and once I was able to open my eyes and realize exactly what he was doing, I was able to extinguish that flame and remove the possibility of it relighting by drowning Satan out with the word of God.
I have had a couple weak moments but instead of letting that candle of doubt be lit, I prayed. I read from my bible. I listened to a sermon, I spoke with my teammates.. I ran to God.
WHEN SATAN HAS A GRASP ON YOU, DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT GIVE HIM MORE FUEL TO ADD TO THE FIRE.
RUN TO GOD!
Satan wants so badly for us to steam and be alone in our struggles, in our negative thoughts and feelings. You must always be on guard and when those feelings reveal themselves, make light of them to those around you so that Satan will have NO power over you.
God is the fresh air you need when you’re feeling suffocated.
I know this because even a couple days ago, I felt such a weight on my chest that it was literally hindering my every day life. I felt suffocated even in a place filled with God. Satan only has the power that you allow him to have, do not give him that power.
Luke 11;10-13
“Don’t you think that the Father who conceived you in love will give YOU the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”
Guys, when you are struggling, ASK God for help. Lift up your struggles to him. God does not enjoy your suffering and doesn’t want to see you struggle.. He wants all of his children to be happy and joyful.
Ask and you shall receive.. The power of prayer is astounding.
Proverbs 3; 3-12
“Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.”
Stay present in your faith and always be prepared for battle.. Being a Christain and living for Christ was never promised to be an easy route. There will be mountains to climb, but God will always provide us with what we need.
Satan, I BIND YOU. I refuse to give you power. You have NO POWER OVER ME. I pray in Jesus name that the Lord will place his protective hands over his people and continue to light the path towards righteousness.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
To those who continue reading my blogs, thank you for sticking with me on this journey. I can’t wait to experience all that God has to offer with you all by my side.
