Spiritual Warfare

I have just lost all the content of this blog post somehow as I was trying to edit the already complete post. I now have to do this, all over again. This is definitely spiritual warfare. I get to choose whether to rewrite the thousands of words again, or to throw my hands in the air and just live!

Honestly, I wish that I still have that content and now I do not have an idea how to do this a second time. There was so much, this ain't fun.

Whenever I publish blogs, I never really do it out of will. I do it because I have accepted to be a vessel. Even though I just lost all the content, I believe that God's providence is still sufficient. So I will keep writing.

God inspired my heart to speak on this topic weeks ago, but I have not been feeling like it for a very long time, only to obey today and loose all the content. That is okay, now as I type this, I have even a better understanding of spiritual warfare, than 2 hours ago.

I would like to think that my Instagram post today is really the definition of spiritual warfare. That come hell or high water, you keep standing.

Part of it read,

The reality is that sometimes we really are struggling with hurt, doubt, discouragement, fear and all the things that we know we really are above. Whatever your struggle, just keep faithfully doing the things God has already asked you to do. Just keep standing.

Broken but still standing

Lonely but still standing

Unsure but still standing

Wanting but still standing

Discouraged but still standing

Giving up but still standing

Sinking, but still, standing.

It is by remaining unshakable in our faith and actions despite what we are going through that we really are winning the battle.

Spiritual warfare is part of the Christian life

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. Ephesians 6:12

Being ignorant of this fact is like walking in blindfolds. You would be sure to fall into a trap.

One of the areas where I find spiritual warfare so real is the area of our feelings. I would comfortably give spiritual warfare a sister name, Feelings. I did it because I felt like it, It felt good, I was feeling hungry, I was feeling... lonely, I was feelin tired.

So so many times we let our feelings control what we do and how we live. The truth is that this becomes the devil's playground, keeping us in a place where life just goes by and by without our notice.

We stay in a suppressed state of mind, not stepping out into the battle field and not living out the life that we have been called to.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

This Proverb teaches us the importance of taking care of our hearts. If the devil can control your heart and mind, he can control your life. That is why constantly and intentionally rising above our feelings is an integral part of our spiritual life.

Succeeding in Spiritual Warfare may sound vague and practically unattainable. So I like to compare it with this weight loss analogy. I struggle a lot with not being able to loose weight. Okay, let me say that again. I struggle a lot with choosing not to commit to loose weight.

This had got me wishful wishing, that God would take the extra pounds away somehow miraculously. Honestly, I do not think it works like that. Just as James taught that faith without actions is dead. James 2:17

I am well aware that when I finally decide to be a better version of myself, I need to work out and diet, not pray. Prayer would probably apply when I am staring at a cheese cake over the counter, asking God to grace me with self control- why would I even let myself stare. I would however still need to resist the urge to dig into my purse for some change.

This is the same with spiritual warfare.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12

Working out in the gym to burn the fat hurts and requires so much effort. How much more, working out our salvation in fear and trembling. Fear and trembling depicts the seriousness in which we should take our spiritual life. It becomes even more serious when we know that the devil is doing everything he can to make us fall back into sin, fear and doubt.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 peter 5:8.

This is why we should be incredibly purposeful about our spiritual walk. The battle field will demand your faith and prayers, but also your physical and mental intention and engagement among everything else.

I recently realized something intriguing about the temptations that Jesus had to endure:

And the devil, having finished every temptation, departed from Him until an opportune time. luke 4:13

First, the devil is brave. He did not hold back from tempting the son of God. How much more, us. This is the thing however that captured my attention. When he had finished every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

The devil after getting finished with Jesus, was not really finished with Him, yet. He was just taking a break, waiting for the next best chance, to tempt him again.

Something happens a lot in our lives. After going through a rough patch and finally experiencing rest, we tend to be complacent and overconfident in our new found relationship with God. We forget that spiritual warfare is a permanent way of life in our spiritual walk and that the devil can strike back anytime.

Jesus when He returned from praying at the garden of Gethsemane, was disappointed when he found his disciples sleeping while they should have kept watch and prayed with him at His most trying time. he told to them:

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

Even Jesus recognized the role feelings play in our spiritual life. But it is when you feel like not doing or doing something the most but choose to do the right thing that you will be winning this sure battle.

We have to pray consistently and sink ourselves in the word of God which is the ultimate weapon against the schemes of the enemy. When desire almost overtakes you, hide in the word. Just keep standing.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word. Psalms 119:9

Do not be discouraged by the many times you fall. Refuse to fall for that trick. Confess your sins, dust up yourself and just keep running the race.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9

Being discouraged and doubting is not an option. But when that doubt and discouragement creeps in, remind the devil that you have confidence in our Father.That if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14. Your breakthrough is just around the corner. Just keep standing, just keep fighting. God is faithful and will reward those who love Him.

Meditate on the Word of God, confess it until you believe it. Tell your friends about the Love of Christ. Pray without ceasing.

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. Ephesians 6:13 (please read the full chapter for more understanding of the specifics)

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. Revelation 12:11

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

May the Lord bless you as you battle, faithfully.

Lots of Love,

Joanna

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