“I sought the Lord and He answered me, He delivered me from all my fears.”
– Psalm 34:4
Ever felt sad or “off” for no reason? Or maybe short of temper, unexplained judgment of people, anxiety, or self-deprecation. Yesterday and this morning were all things I experienced, for no apparent reason.
I’ll tell you the reason: a not so little thing we like to call spiritual attack.
Spiritual attack is defined by, “a use of supernatural powers by satan and his demons in order to harm the targeted Christian physically or physiologically. Such attacks come in many forms.”
My team and the men’s team were living apart from the rest of the squad in another town called Draganesti-Olt. Due to some living circumstances, we had to move back to our previous home city, Craiova. I knew there was a bigger reason for us moving back then just our living situation. Joining back with the rest of our amazing squad is an adjustment, but it feels so good to be back with the rest of the family.
The closer we get to taking bigger steps toward Jesus, the more Satan is going to try and tear you away.
In the words of Steven Furtick, the pastor of Elevation Church, “Here’s a life principle, you never cross over without conflict. Now you can cross over from something greater into something lesser without conflict. The devil will let you go backwards all day long and never fight you…But anytime you move in the direction of mission, people who are crossing over from old habits, old thinking, old behavior, old allegiance, anybody who’s crossing over from death to life, expect resistance…Anytime you leave Egypt Pharoh gets nervous. He’ll send his choice chariots to bring you back.”
I’ve been re-experiencing the feelings I was attacked with month 1. Thoughts of confusion, feeling distant from God, getting over-stimulated, and feeling alone in a crowded room. Jesus reminded me a big truth this morning.
“Let’s not face month 1 problems with month 1 solutions. You’ve had so much growth; face these old problems with brand new solutions.”
Something my squad leader Taylor often says, is that, when you are feeling down on herself, or self-deprecating, turn the attention off yourself. Go write a note for someone, or pray over someone; just take your mind off of yourself and serve others.
Several of our squad mates were feeling a little under the weather, and I could feel there was a heaviness in our ministry room this morning. So, Jesus said “time to turn it around.” Whenever you give your yes to God, He’ll honor your obedience. So I got up and said if anyone was feeling uneasy physically, mentally, or spiritually, come in the middle of the room and we’d pray over them. Almost everyone on our squad went to the middle.
So we declared that this was spiritual attack. We acknowledged the devil’s attack and got up in his face and said, “you have no power over us. The closer we get to God, the more you’re going to work, and the harder the things you throw at us, we are just going to lean further into our Papa.”
After the prayer, I felt so much peace and confidence. I knew God was in control of the situation, and when the Holy Spirit revealed this was an attack,the first response is turning the evil into God’s glory. So BOOM devil. You tried.
I know Jesus is at my side. When feel uneasy spiritually, I know it’s not because of an absence of Jesus, but a result of an attack from the offensive side because of my closeness to the father.
I encourage you this week when feeling uneasy or spiritually attacked, call it out. Call it out in the authority of Jesus’ name. The Bible says, “resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Not he might, or he may later, but he WILL flee. He must. The more you call out to Jesus and lean on Him, the closer Jesus will draw near to you (James 4:8).
So, call on the name of Jesus. In humility, ask Him to show up for you. Look for Him! He can do ALL things; except fail.
Verses: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:12 // “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:5-6
Worship Song: Raise a Hallelujah by Bethel Music
