As a follow-up from the previous piece -
Since the Lord helped me identify what the problem is, that my procrastination, distraction, and anxiety were the result of spiritual attack, the Lord has provided (as He always does) ways for me to be victorious in battle. Here are a few of the scriptures He's given me. With God's word and the support that my sisters at church unknowingly provide, I am more aware of the enemy and his methods. I am not only aware, but I'm also relieved and free. Yes, to some this may sound crazy, but if one believes in God, why wouldn't they also believe that there is an enemy? We just don't have to allow him to have a stronghold in our lives. For that, we have Jesus.
All are from the New American Standard Bible:
Ephesians 6:13
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Psalm 37:3-4 Security of Those Who Trust in the LORD, and Insecurity of the Wicked.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:25, 33 The Cure for Anxiety
25 "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Psalm 91:2-3a Security of the One Who Trusts in the LORD.
2I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!"
3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Am I under Attack?
I haven't posted anything since June 29th. Why?
Distraction is how the Enemy attacks. Why do we always have something pressing, something that must be done, something that just can't wait?
Procrastination is how the Enemy attacks. How is it that I could find anything more important than obeying God immediately?
Doubt is how the Enemy attacks. Why do I doubt myself, my ability, my worth when God has made me with all the competence I'll ever need to do what He has planned for my life?
Anxiety is how the Enemy attacks. Why do I have the tight, sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach?
God has been working on me for months to get back to writing. I enjoy it very much and it's helped lead me to have open discussions about Christ with others. So, why haven't I obeyed?
I didn't really recognize what was happening until that sinking feeling began. Only for a minute or two, once in a while. I didn't connect the dots until I started a Bible Class at Church a few weeks ago. All of this time, I was being attacked.
I began to realized that I got distracted with the Summer routine when we are away most weekends. I stayed in the Word, but not as much. The study group I was attending on Monday nights dissolved, and other activities took its place. Because I was away a lot, I lost touch with my Church family; I wasn't there on Sunday to attend church. That's distraction.
I thought of great topics to write about. I had God things happening in my life and wanted to write about them, but... My computer crashed, so without that my office became a storage room so much that I couldn't even get to the desk. I had to take care of my garden and, oh how I love my garden. That's procrastination.
Some people at work asked about my blog and I invited them to visit it, but then began to be guarded in what I wrote. I though, am I worthy of writing about God, about my Christian walk. Am I truly a good example of how a Christian should behave. I didn't want to sound like I knew it, because I don't. That's doubt.
The Bible study I'm attending in on Philippians and Colossians. At the second class one of the ladies said our Church must be doing something right because a lot of our members are under attack. We have many with new health, financial issues. These events seem to be occurring in the midst of a renewal our Church is experiencing. WOW! That made my whole perspective change. I finally connected the dots.
That sinking, anxious feeling started right around the time school started. That's when our weekend excursions start winding down. We're in town and back at church. Then I joined the Bible study, which requires the purchase of an inexpensive study guide. The first week found me putting off that purchase until I really had no time to adequately prepare for the second class. Then she said it, a lot of us are under attack, we must be doing something right.
The Enemy attacks to come between us and God. He doesn't want us to build that all important relationship with Him. He attacks our health, finances, and emotions. He's been working on me in all areas. My finances were first a few years ago, but we've over come that. My health recently, and that is under control. Now, my emotions in the form of this anxious feeling.
I recognized it because it wasn't the first time. I had experienced it about two years ago, when I joined the study group that met on Mondays, I mentioned earlier. It was very strong then, but with my team members, my Pastor, and focus on the Word the feeling quickly went away.
I must be doing something right. My relationship with God is growing and the Enemy doesn't like it. Well, that's OK, because I'm not fighting this battle alone, and neither are you. God is always on our side.
Distraction is how the Enemy attacks. Why do we always have something pressing, something that must be done, something that just can't wait?
Procrastination is how the Enemy attacks. How is it that I could find anything more important than obeying God immediately?
Doubt is how the Enemy attacks. Why do I doubt myself, my ability, my worth when God has made me with all the competence I'll ever need to do what He has planned for my life?
Anxiety is how the Enemy attacks. Why do I have the tight, sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach?
God has been working on me for months to get back to writing. I enjoy it very much and it's helped lead me to have open discussions about Christ with others. So, why haven't I obeyed?
I didn't really recognize what was happening until that sinking feeling began. Only for a minute or two, once in a while. I didn't connect the dots until I started a Bible Class at Church a few weeks ago. All of this time, I was being attacked.
I began to realized that I got distracted with the Summer routine when we are away most weekends. I stayed in the Word, but not as much. The study group I was attending on Monday nights dissolved, and other activities took its place. Because I was away a lot, I lost touch with my Church family; I wasn't there on Sunday to attend church. That's distraction.
I thought of great topics to write about. I had God things happening in my life and wanted to write about them, but... My computer crashed, so without that my office became a storage room so much that I couldn't even get to the desk. I had to take care of my garden and, oh how I love my garden. That's procrastination.
Some people at work asked about my blog and I invited them to visit it, but then began to be guarded in what I wrote. I though, am I worthy of writing about God, about my Christian walk. Am I truly a good example of how a Christian should behave. I didn't want to sound like I knew it, because I don't. That's doubt.
The Bible study I'm attending in on Philippians and Colossians. At the second class one of the ladies said our Church must be doing something right because a lot of our members are under attack. We have many with new health, financial issues. These events seem to be occurring in the midst of a renewal our Church is experiencing. WOW! That made my whole perspective change. I finally connected the dots.
That sinking, anxious feeling started right around the time school started. That's when our weekend excursions start winding down. We're in town and back at church. Then I joined the Bible study, which requires the purchase of an inexpensive study guide. The first week found me putting off that purchase until I really had no time to adequately prepare for the second class. Then she said it, a lot of us are under attack, we must be doing something right.
The Enemy attacks to come between us and God. He doesn't want us to build that all important relationship with Him. He attacks our health, finances, and emotions. He's been working on me in all areas. My finances were first a few years ago, but we've over come that. My health recently, and that is under control. Now, my emotions in the form of this anxious feeling.
I recognized it because it wasn't the first time. I had experienced it about two years ago, when I joined the study group that met on Mondays, I mentioned earlier. It was very strong then, but with my team members, my Pastor, and focus on the Word the feeling quickly went away.
I must be doing something right. My relationship with God is growing and the Enemy doesn't like it. Well, that's OK, because I'm not fighting this battle alone, and neither are you. God is always on our side.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)