God is doing something in me. I don't exactly know what it is yet, but I know it's good. I have begun to feel the stirrings of the Holy Spirit on me, and God has begun to show me things and reveal part of my inner heart that he wants to mend. I am being confronted with things I haven't thought about in nearly 25 years. But healing he is bringing. Unexpected, blessed, salve-on-a-wound-I-had-forgotten-about healing.
But I've also begun to feel the enemy start to rage war. Subtle, sneaky, piercing war. He doesn't fight fair, and where he hits me it hurts. Bad. Bad enough that it can make me want to push away the good thing God is doing in me. The closer I get, the more the enemy hurts me, but the more I allow God to do the healing the stronger I feel. So, I let God reveal a wound... then get hit hard by the enemy, yet feel stronger as I allow God to heal me more... which causes me to get hit again. It is a paradox only a believer who has been in the battle understands.
Are you in the battle? Have you felt that before? Have you felt the enemy comes when God begins to do something in you? Sometimes he hits you with circumstances, sometimes with the very people you love. Sometimes with Godly people.
But we are called to one thing, and that is to love and follow our Lord. Not our friends, family, or circumstances. 'They' are not what we bow to. We Bow to Him the One and Only. Regardless of where the enemy wants to hit us. And believe me he will find the most vulnerable spot.
You know what the beauty is in all of that? That he not only promises to be with us through it all, but he promises that he will bring the victory. HE WILL BRING THE VICTORY!!!
Hallelujah!
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this
world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Blessings,
Great post Kari. I needed it today. I think many of us can identify with where you are. Well, at least I can. I am dealing with some battles, they are not so much with people. The battle is in my mind. The enemy comes after us, as we purpose to live, do and reflect the Word. I am dealing with some physical problems that the enemy tries to convince me-make me unusable. He has attacked my blog, my ministry, my childhood, my manuscript-you name it. I refuse to allow any of these things to move me! I am determined to push on and allow God to help me deal with the scars that I have buried subconsciously. Thanks for being REAL about your battle scars. It helped me more than you know, to identify why past hurts are rearing there UGLY heads. My faith remains in the power of our LORD. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteYes, I am in warfare! Yes, He does hit where it hurts. Great post friend, so good to keep our eyes focussed on the point.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this, Kari...this is exactly where I am right now too...it's amazing how the devil knows when God has something planned for us and tries to tear us down right before so we won't get there--- thanks for reminding me to keep my eyes on HIM and not my troubles!!! Love you Kari!! xox
ReplyDeleteKari -- yes, I've felt it -- I'm feeling it currently. SO much greatness {healing, restoration, fruit bearing} with SLAPS from the evil one who attempts to bring us down, or back, or to believe the lies that we are off-setting with the TRUTH and being set free from.
ReplyDeleteI've never felt the spiritual battle more powerful than I have over the past year. There is a war raging...so many have been called to remind me to put on the ARMOR of God every morning! YES, He WILL bring Victory -- we must remain and abide in HIM. Keep our eyes focused on HIM as our One and only audience.
Thank you for sharing this...love you friend -- we are on this journey together. God is up to something REALLY REALLY good!! Yes He is!! xo
Keeping it Personal,
Teri Johnson
I know what you're talking about, and it never fails. As soon as I start to feel God working in my life the devil is right there, on my other shoulder trying to wage war on my impressionable finite mind.
ReplyDeleteI have to keep my "spiritual blinders" securely fastened and just like Teri said remember I am only living to please an Audience of ONE.
On the flip side, I can be encouraged b/c Satan would not be attacking if God were not at work. If Satan were not threatened by my faith, he would leave me alone.
Love this post, my friend!