A bit
of a warning before you read—I’m going to take you through a personal battle in
hopes I can help you.
This is a really strange time in
our world. I think we can all agree to that. But has anyone else felt
specifically attacked? Yes, I used a
very strong, but very real word. This word seems to be often avoided in the
Christian culture we have today. After all, we are not currently dealing with
persecution and martyrdom in the U.S. We live relatively comfortable lives
compared to the rest of the world, and we even have the luxury of worshiping
God from the peace of our living rooms.
So why
do I bring up attack? I’ve currently been reading through “Fervent: A Woman’s
Battle Plan to Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer” by Priscilla Shirer. It
has been the punch to the gut that I have definitely needed, and I highly
recommend if you feel attacked currently that you read it. It is interesting though,
that the days I have really needed certain chapters, I have felt intensely
discouraged to read it. Other things have conveniently gotten in the way of
reading some things that I desperately needed to hear. A small, subtle attack on my mind on days when
I’m weak.
I have
learned through this book that the enemy desperately wants us to also get
distracted from our communication with God. If he can cut us off from our
communication source, we are much more susceptible to his lies. You see, as I
started to read this book, I received a new medical diagnosis that I did not
want to hear. I was told that I have PCOS. After years of visiting doctors for
different concerns, one visit with my new doctor and some lab tests, and the
condition was clear.
Interestingly
enough, after seeking out answers, I was angry with the result I had. I was
hoping it was just a simple issue, not something that could potentially have
long lasting effects on my health and family. It is funny to me that when I
finally had an answer to what was happening my initial response was anger. I
already have to deal with another medical condition, Lynch Syndrome, isn’t one
enough?
In my
self-pity, at first I could not see the attack that was being made against my
mind. You see, no one wants to pray when
they are angry. Is it ok that I am transparent enough to say that? I know God
has a plan, and I know that His ways are perfect, but what words do I even say
when my mind is filled with questions instead of answers? More so than that,
who wants to read a book about prayer when prayer is the last thing you want to
do?
Perhaps
you are dealing with something similar. Maybe you are going through a battle so
personal you also don’t have the words to say when you pray. Maybe this whole
COVID-19 situation has thrown your world upside-down, either through a work
situation or isolation, that you feel helpless. Maybe you have more questions
right now than answers. Can I encourage you for a moment?
If you
have made it this far with me, I encourage you to stop right now and pray. Tell
God how you are feeling. Yes, He already knows, but I can assure you that you
will feel much better letting it out to the God of the universe, and He wants
to hear it from you. Quit hiding behind the lie that you have to have it all
together. As humans, due to the fall, we experience stress and pain that we
were never built to handle. Acknowledge that you are being attacked right now,
that you are in a battle for your mind, and ask God to transform those
impossible situations. John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken unto you,
that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be
of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” We have a unique opportunity to take
our struggles to the One Who can defeat any enemy we have. I encourage you to
pray when you do not feel like it, because it is during this time that we need
it the most. When you do not feel like praying is often when you are attacked,
and you need someone to fight those battles for you.
The Bible says in John 10:10, “The
thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that
they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Our enemy
wants to steal, kill, and destroy our lives. Those are intense words, but it is
an intense battle. If our enemy cannot send us to hell, he wants to try to
destroy our peace in the lives we are living now. I want to encourage you, if
you have felt like me, reach out to someone. Have someone pray with you. You
can reach out to me even if you need prayer. I can tell you that I also have
felt defeated, discouraged, and disappointed. It is ok to feel those things,
but it is not ok to allow those things to run your life. We are made to live in
abundance through the One Who gives us life.
No matter what attack you are facing, my encouragement to you is allow it to bring you closer to God. Pray when it doesn't make sense. Pray when it's hard. Pray when you are angry. Pray when you are sad. Most of all, pray through the attack.
