Sunday, May 30, 2010

Spiritual Warfare


In preparation for our Mission Trip we were told to expect Spiritual Warfare.  I have seen it a time or two, have lived it on occasion.  It is very mighty and powerful and very real.  If you have never been through it first hand you may think I am a whack-o.  You see, when you are preparing to do something for the greater glory of God's Kingdom, the enemy wants to stop you at all cost.  

Members of our Mission Team are all undergoing these battles.  We can't let Satan win and expend useless energy on it.  We  must remain focused on our "mission" and forge on.  I have been reading a lot on this subject and came across this:

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

This is what manhood is. This is what God is after. This is what he wants to make us in Christ. But the battle is not to become this kind of a man, for this is the kind of man Christ makes us when we follow him. The battle is to show it, to reveal it, to manifest what we are and thus to refuse to believe the lies that keep us weak and make us act like and animal rather than a man. Put on the whole armor of God, all that Christ is, pray, and having done all, stand!

I have learned in recent dealings that people may falsely accuse you.  People will misunderstand you.  I could choose to "fight the fight" or stand - silent.  God does not want me to waste energy trying to win battles, but rather rest in that He knows my heart and the truth.  I have a clear perspective, which I know comes from Him.  Yes, there are two sides to every story.  People forget this.  If my side is never heard, so be it.  No one is perfect and in all disagreements both parties make mistakes.  To quote someone who recently wrote me:   

"Do not be discouraged, just learn from your mistake and others... continue to have a forgiving heart and others will show you the same.  God is about unconditional love and forgiveness."

This is very true.  I can only pray that he molds my heart to have this forgiving heart and freely love and forgive unconditionally.


Battles can not be won with words.  Only in time will people see through action and deed who you really are.  It will be then that they can see your heart and see you for who God has created you to be.  We are forever evolving and changing.  We have to be open to learn from our hardships, take from them a lesson and change for the greater good.  If we do not learn we will be tested time and again.


I have a mighty job ahead of me.  The flaming arrows will come.  It is what I do with them that is the test.  Right now I choose to stand.  Stand firm in knowing that God sees the truth in all.  He is my rock and my fortress.  When any believer, even the newest and weakest, stands in the strength of Christ, puts on the whole armor of God, and, in dependence upon the presence of God in prayer, stands; the devil is always defeated.

Pray for our team members, or family and our friends as we all experience spiritual warfare each day.
Pray for us all to stand, as we know it is then that the devil is defeated!


XOXO
Janean