A few weeks ago, I had a radical prayer time.
I was praying about several different situations in my life and I just lost it. I couldn’t even form words anymore, and was just crying and wondering why. It was at that moment that I realized that I was being attacked by the enemy.
I don’t think that every time something goes wrong, but this was clearly a case where it was so.
In that moment, God reminded me that I have a shield of faith. And for a little bit, I cried and cowered under my shield of faith, imagining all of the fiery darts being launched at me, and my God-shield keeping me safe.
But then, I heard in my heart, “Get up and move.” So I stood up, and even lifted my hands as if I was holding the shield and just started praising God. I let the arrows rain down on me, giving each of them a name for a different circumstance I was facing.
And I knew I had to keep moving forward. I knew I had to not just defend myself, but offend the enemy with my sword, God’s word. So I started quoting scriptures out loud.
Sounds a little crazy, I know, but it’s all right there in Ephesians 6.
Anyway, I knew that none of these arrows were going to stop coming. But that I had to keep moving forward, and that my faith in my God would help me do that.
Then, last Sunday in church, the pastor said, “We ask God to take us out of situations, but sometimes He wants to take us THROUGH it. Because growth happens that way.”
Let me tell you, that is not the message I wanted to hear. I wanted to hear that this fiery season was coming to an end, or that God would pluck me out of it.
But I know, for real, that God has something for me on the other side of all of this. And as long as I stand firm, with the belt of truth around my waist, and that breastplate of righteousness on, waving my sword of scripture, and my God-shield out in front of me, I can do it.
I might have to keep walking through this fiery path for awhile longer, but with my God upholding me with His righteous right hand, I can do it. I may get singed here and there, and I may stumble. But I will not fall.
And when I do come out the other side (please, God, let it be soon), I’ll be stronger in my faith and, whoa, will I have stories to tell about my God and His ways.
So, yeah, bring it on, world. My God has got this.
Sheila says
Angela I love your bare honesty. You are such a blessing!! Keep on inspiring!