While a friend was praying for me today, the Lord brought to
my memory that when we’re taking ground for Him, the enemy will attack us where
we have been injured the most in our lives, simply because he knows what is
most painful to us. He pulls out all stops
to try to keep us from doing God's will. If he can get our focus off of Jesus
and onto the pain that we're enduring, he can keep us from moving forward for
the Lord.
Keep in mind that, so often, without people realizing it,
they allow the enemy to work through them…or us…myself included. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that it’s not flesh
and blood that we wrestle with, but principalities, powers and the rulers of
the darkness of this age. ( Ephesians
6:12 NKJV - For we do not wrestle against flesh and - Bible Gateway ) It’s not people who are the enemy; it’s the
enemy working through others. It’s important that we remember this when we are
attacked in this way.
Like many of you, I have been rejected many of times in my
life. My first memory of rejection
happened around age 3 by my grandma. As
I take aggressive steps forward for what I believe to be God’s will for my
life, rejection as well as other things that plagued my childhood, spring
forward quickly and strongly through others.
Now I wish that I could tell you that I’ve always handled these attacks
well, but I would be a liar if I did.
Even now, when knowing what I know about the enemy and his ways, I don’t
always respond in the best way. I must
say I’m grateful for friends who understand this and are willing to hear what’s
on my heart and pray with me.
Ultimately, I’m grateful for the Holy Spirit for His willingness to
continue to lead me, guide me, and like today...remind me of things that I’ve
already been taught, but needed to be
reminded. This strengthens my mind and
spirit. Of course, praising and
worshipping the Lord is always the best way to get your eyes off of yourself
and back onto Jesus.
Another of the challenges of these attacks is to be kind to
those who unknowingly cause pain. In the
majority of these situations, I’m positive that the folks causing pain don’t
realize they’re even doing it. Knowing
this and continuing to treat them with love and kindness is another challenge
all its own.
Since I’ve experienced this so much in my life, I am ultra
aware of what I do and say to others. I
don’t want to be one to deliver pain to another person through the words of my
mouth. I ask myself if what I have to
say to others is truly necessary and what my motives are. If I have any doubt whatsoever, I choose not
to speak.
I hope that sharing the challenges of my life help you in
some way. Jesus never said that
following Him would be easy. But, I
totally and completely believe that living my life to be pleasing to God is definitely
worth it. When I look back on my life,
see where I once was and where I am now, I am encouraged and strengthened for
the road ahead…the road to being all that God created me to be.
