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"At times, the evidence of what we can see stacks up so high against the assurance of what we can't that a lifelong faith crumbles in a moment."
You know people this has happened to. Maybe it's you even. Day four's homework had me thinking a lot about "flaming arrows" and the number I've encountered this last week alone. I can tell I lowered my shield as I was hit by a few earlier in the week.
I can say without a doubt that I've been under spiritual attack this week. It was so bizarre for me the moment I realized it. I'd been feeling frustrated over a situation (irritated might be a better word). I couldn't put my finger on what was disturbing me so much. I prayed and prayed, clearly grieved over it. So I was talking it out and it hits me.......ah ha, that's it! I can't give specifics (painful past stuff) but I can tell you Satan is a sly one for sure. The flaming arrows have been coming at me for well over a week now without me even linking them all together yet each weakening me a little at a time until one final one sent me to the ground. Just realizing the method of attack was huge in seeking added protection from Abba Father on it. The evil one has come at me with these memories many times and each time he's gotten fear and anger and depression and unforgiveness to surface and stick around for a while. Not this time though!
Wasn't it a beautiful sight when God opened Elisha's servant's eyes? Oh wow - to be able to witness that!! I cannot express how desperately I needed to read that account that day. And then we moved into discussing the prophecies that have come to pass (61 Beth informed us). I loved traveling from old to new testament and seeing the evidence of God's faithfulness! It was fabulous!
Faith Fights!
Oh man, oh man - that video was fantastic!!!! If I shared everything I got out of it, this post would be entirely too long! (I fear it's reached that point already actually lol). Here are some quotes that jumped out at me:
"We're all out for God to change our circumstances. God's all out to change us." - Good heavens, don't I know that! I would love for my circumstances to change right now. I do know He's changing me though and I'll be honest, I'm glad!
"It's gonna take some 'through faith'!" - wasn't that so encouraging! Have you been "through" something that required that kind of faith? Boy I have! Days I wasn't sure I was going to survive and some I wasn't sure I wanted to survive. God is amazingly faithful though. And yes Beth, going "through" is often the shortest path lol - albeit often wrought with much difficulty!
"Who are you agreeing with?" - Yikes! Don'tcha know that's one that'll catchya square between th' eyes! When she read the segment from John Eldredge's book I could so relate! I'm asking God to make me more aware of this.
"Prayer cuts a window in a wall." - Amen and praise the Lord God Almighty! God is AWESOME! Thank you!
You know, Beth told about her "clap offerings" and I gotta say, I've done that myself. Probably not as frequently as Beth but I have clapped for God. Usually it's out of "shocked praise" lol. Like, "I am totally amazed that you just did that God!" ((clap, clap)) I've danced for God. I've sung. I've even pitched a fit for God....eeekkkk! I remember after we lost Bryan I began doing this from time to time. When I'd get so upset and even a bit angry with God, I'd go into my room, close the door and flail about on the bed screaming and pounding my fists into the covers. I was usually screaming "WHY?" My screaming would turn to tears and my tears to laughter at the pitiful scene God just witnessed lol. So like a spoiled child and yet every time He was patient with me and tender. Every time my outburst rant would turn into praise of Him and Who is really is despite my miserable, and sometimes painful, circumstances.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 |