How many of you know that in our own strength there are just some battles that we cannot fight, let alone WIN on our own?…BUT how many of you are rest assured in the truth that when we invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts it doesn’t matter what wars are waged against us because what also resides in us is the mighty strength of The Creator of the Universe. By clinging to the promise that the victory has already been won, it doesn’t matter what storms come our way because we can fix our eyes on the All-Powerful One and walk above the waves that rage beneath us. We have the authority in the name of Jesus to combat the lies of anxiety, lust, depression, failure, addiction, or whatever it is the enemy is using to keep us hostage. But how many of you guys know that no matter how much we know and believe in all His promises, it can seem that the more we walk towards the calling God has on our lives the harder it gets at times. Its kinda like you KNOW you’re on the path God has for you when you start to feel spiritually attacked because you’re making the enemy uncomfortable, and a little nervous. He’s now working overtime to keep you from making Kingdom Moves. There are even some battles we think we’ve long dealt with and are completely behind us but then they creep back up into our head leaving us to question all the progress we’ve made. I’ve been in this place many times.
I will not call myself a victim of anxiety, but I have had my fair share of vicious attacks thrown my way. Attacks that brought me to my knees and to a place where the strength of God is the only explainable way I made it through the dark seasons. I’ve made it a point in my life to always remember my desperation for Jesus during that time and how Heaven came down to fight the battles I couldn’t withstand on my own. In hindsight, it was a beautiful experience to feel the realness of the Power of God take over, but I wouldn’t say its something I’d wish to continue to go through Again and Again. However, there are times when I do feel the darkness of anxiety overwhelm my spirit and bring me near to that place of crippling fear.
I had this intense moment and realization while spending time with Jesus a couple weeks back when I was hit with sudden breathless anxiety. I remember sitting up in bed and just screaming with all I had left, tears bursting out “God I cannot fight this demon for the rest of my life!!!! How many times do I have to go through this again and again, I just can’t take it!!!” I instantly grabbed my phone and put on Steffany Gritzingers Pandora station to try and calm myself down. I laid down and put my focus on the melody and words that were filling my room. A song was playing I hadn’t heard before and as I listened to the words I felt as if they were straight from God in response to my rather demanding prayer. I crawled out of bed and looked up the lyrics as I knelt down on the ground singing out the promises God was telling me through the song Prince of Peace by Hillsong UNITED.
“Your love surrounds me When my thoughts wage war, When night screams terror There Your voice will roar, Come death or shadow God I know Your light will meet me there. When fear comes knocking There You’ll be my guard, When day breeds trouble There You’ll hold my heart, Come storm or battle God I know Your peace will meet me there”
As if these lyrics weren’t enough of a reassuring answer to my prayer, the following three words WRECKED me. The bridge was followed with the line “Again and Again.” The “reality” that seemed to surround me of anxiety, fear, and feelings of defeat seized miraculously. My tears, however, began to flow harder as I transitioned the posture of my heart and began to cry out these promises from a place of victory. In that instant, I was reminded it doesn’t matter how many times the enemy throws these fiery darts of anxiety my way, even if its every day for the rest of my life I know My Saviors Peace will meet me there again and again and again and again and again and again. There is no weapon formed against me that will prosper.
I know we live in a world and a time where there are many battles people are fighting whether they are known or in secret. From my personal experience, I just feel called to encourage each person that comes across my story, that whatever weapon the enemy is using against you, let Gods victory and peace meet you where you are. You are not strong enough in your own power to defeat your demons. But God, He’s the All-Powerful One who knows the cries of your heart and will meet you wherever you are Again + Again. The enemy could have used the lie of anxiety to keep me from my calling, and easily from going on this adventure with Jesus. But because my strength is found in Jesus and not in myself I can stand firm and say: “NOT TODAY SATAN!! or tomorrow or the next day or any day after that. I am a child and a messenger of God!”
…The Craziest part of this story to me is that I listened to about 4 different versions of the Prince of Peace and never heard the actual lyrics “Again and Again” sung in the song. It’s like God strategically wrote those words there to speak to me. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, and I’ll say it louder for the people in the back: God listens and He speaks, we just have to cry out to him and be expectant to receive His word.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIqUTMHl9Cs
