Dear friends,
Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
We don’t talk about it a great deal, but we know we are in a battle for men’s souls. When significant things happen in our country or to us personally we stop and wonder – is this an attack? We want to be aware of what is happening, without always trying to sound the alarm.
John Eldridge in his book Waking the Dead sites 3 things: We are at war. Things are not what they seem. We have a crucial role to play. Certainly Satan wants to attack Christians; sometimes as a group to render us ineffective, and/ or pick us off one by one. We must put on the full armor of God, walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, and pray diligently, desperately, and expectantly for God to work.
What do you do if you’re in the middle of conflict? I have some suggestions.
Read the Word. Look for passages that will encourage you. Meditate on your favorite Psalms. Go to passages in Isaiah and Hebrews that say: “I will never desert you. I will not forsake you. Do not fear, I will be with you.” Look at the miracles that Jesus performed and how God constantly delivered Israel in the Old Testament.
Listen to praise music. Let the depths of the words envelop you, and be reminded of the sovereignty, love, and goodness of God.
Let people pray for you. Let those who love you share the load that you’re experiencing. As you cast your care on Christ and remember that His load is light, let others come beside you and intercede for you. I recently did just that and it was a huge blessing for me.
Get a little more sleep and rest. What did God do with Elijah when he was feeling depressed? He let him sleep, and fed him. Stop and smell the roses. The last few days I have been able to put my window down and listen to the sounds I don’t normally hear. It was refreshing.
Begin to journal all the blessings that God has bestowed on you. Focus on what God has done through you. I have begun to write down the people that God has allowed me to help go further in their Christian journey. Wow! It’s amazing what God can do with five loaves and two fishes, with a donkey, and with anyone who is willing to let Him work through his or her life. Amen!
I am so grateful for all of you who have prayed and given to this ministry. Because of your faithfulness we have launched our women’s ministry and hired Rob Genin, our new Birmingham City Director, who will be starting September 8th. We are excited to see what God is going to do and so grateful for what He has done.
If you’re feeling under attack, or you just feel you need to be encouraged – and who doesn’t – try some of these steps. Ultimately we have to take it to the cross and practice gratefulness. Why? Because God is always working through His Spirit, His word, the community of believers, as well as the circumstances themselves. Remember: We are not alone.
In our Lord,
Phil