Someone recently asked me if I have become better able to fend off attacks like depression, self-deprecating thoughts, doubts, anxiety, or fear. I had to say, "Yes, I'm able to stand and resist the attacks of the enemy (the devil) much better now than before". I look back several years and I see the things that used to send me into a tailspin are now not so intimidating.
The reason for this is first of all that I have learned to recognize an attack. The attack is not so much the unknown that suddenly bursts upon me, or the calamity that happens, but it is the lying voice of the enemy that trys to rush in upon me along with the unknown or the calamity. It is that nagging suspicion that I'm not able to stand; that I don't possess the wisdom to get through the trial at hand; it is the echo of voices from my past that chant my unsuitability to overcome difficulties and my inability to make a difference or to have any purpose at all.
It has taken a lifetime of learning to recognize lies. And once I have identified the attack, I must take my stand and resist the lies. It is not me standing alone -fighting giants, but it is me taking my place in the battle line-up while God defeats my formidable foe. Zechariah 4:6 says, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."
Here is what we need to know when battle is impending: "Thou dost light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness. For by Thee I can run upon a troop; and by my God I can leap over a wall.... The word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God but the Lord? And who is a rock except our God, the God who girds me with strength, and make my way blameless? He makes my feet like hinds feet, and sets me upon my high places. He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation, and Thy right hand upholds me; and Thy gentleness makes me great. Thou dost enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped." (Psalm 18:28-36).
Those of us who have PD KNOW what it's like to have no strength, to shuffle instead of being nimble and quick on our feet, to be so weak in the arms that we cannot lift a fork, to not be able to sit upright with the correct posture, and to fall because our steps are wrong. But O, beloved Reader, see that this is our training ground! We must know our weaknesses in order to experience God's Spirit that strengthens. It is for our good that He puts us through the boot camp of PD! We must practice our resistance to the voice of evil. It is NOT easy, but God is SO gentle and wants to bring us safely home with as many as we can bring.
God loves you,Reader. His way is good. Put your energies into fighting against the real enemy - not against He who loves you.
2 comments:
Anna said, "We must know our weaknesses in order to experience God's Spirit that strengthens."
So true, Anna. My weaknesses are many, but the Father arms us with His armor(His strength) to fight off the attacks of the enemy that we allow in our lives. Those attacks being lies. It's up to us whether we put on that armor and use it; or just stand there looking at it, thinking of what we might lose if we do use it.
As always, Tonya, I'm so glad to hear from you. Your comments are just what someone needed to hear. Thank you for sharing.
Anna
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