Be on Guard

I've been pondering over the stressful season I've just walked through in order to glean all the lessons God has for me in it.  Something that I know of from the past has "jumped" out at me again in such clarity.  I want to share it.

When we go through a stressful time - physically, emotionally, or spiritually.....or all three - there is a period of time when we are "low."  During this time we are vulnerable.  The enemy loves to exploit that low time.  He may whisper lies in our ears.  He may put pressure in various areas of our lives to make the season harder.  He will do just about anything he can to pull us down and draw us away from our wonderful Father.  We have to be on guard!

When I was so weary, I knew I needed to have my "shield of faith" up for protection from the wily ways of the enemy - and yet my heart felt heavy with discouragement just from being so tired.  I had to spiritually battle against the enemy.  God heard my cries - protected me - and the heaviness lifted.  If we're not on guard, the enemy can have a heyday.

I was reminded of Elijah.  He had witnessed amazing answers to prayer.  He stopped the rain for years before starting it once again.  He multiplied the widow's small supply of food and raised her son from the dead.  He called down fire from heaven, and slayed the false prophets of Baal.  I would say those were some pretty amazing answers to prayer!!!  

And yet, when Jezebel threatened him - he became so depressed and discouraged that he wanted to die.  At the height of all those victories, the enemy used Jezebel to speak lies to Elijah.  All I did was organize a bunch of house repairs - but I was so weary from it all that I knew I was vulnerable.  I remembered Elijah and the lessons from his situation.  I chose to focus on listening to God's gentle whisper and still small voice!  It was there.

During the years of Floyd's illness and my ongoing cancer battle, I daily asked the Lord to protect me - in fact, I usually asked him many times each day.  Whatever stressful time we're in, we need to keep our eyes on the Lord and our ears tuned to His words.  We need to stand against the voice of the enemy.  I'm so grateful the Lord helped me learn this lesson again.

A favorite verse of mine is Philippians 4:8:  "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

When we think about all the good things - it puts everything else into perspective!  There is power in what we set our minds to focus on.

"Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God."  Psalm 42:5

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord."  Psalm 31:24

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

"God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."  1 Corinthians 10:13

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

There are soooo many verses of promise that God will be with us when we go through stressful seasons.  We just  need to stay close to Him.  He will carry us through.