When Life Overwhelms

The alarm sounds. Are you kidding me? Already? You rub your eyes, trying to awaken. Though your vision is a bit blurred, you can already make out the silhouette of an insidious “enemy” glaring down at you. Correction! This is not the face of your spouse or a child who kept you up half the night! This is that intangible, yet quite factual “enemy”, who lingers patiently, eyes fixed to greet you when the first gleam of light finds its way through your closed blinds. Maybe for you, its name is Anxiety or Depression or Regret…maybe its Shame, Hatred or Disgust…maybe its Bitterness or Fear. Or maybe your enemy is Guilt, Insecurity, Comparison…Hopelessness,  Betrayal or Death.

You know its name too well. Turning your back, you hit snooze on your alarm and pull the covers tightly over your head; but these fail to free you from its relentless hovering.   Will this “enemy” be your constant companion, your escort day after endless day?

I’ve asked the same question. I felt like grabbing popcorn this morning while reading a daring, almost unbelievable account in Scripture(1 Samuel 13-14). I felt like I was reading something fit for the big screen: God’s children, the Israelites, were fatefully oppressed by an enemy nation, the Philistines. The Philistines strategically forbid any blacksmiths to work amongst the Israelites.  This might sound like no big deal, but  imagine a large group of people who didn’t have the ability to perform even the most routine daily affairs: sharpening their plowshares, axes, or sickles…all of these, basic tools for their livelihood.   Not only that, NO ONE except the Israelite king and his son owned a sword or a spear. These were a people without protection…without help, without hope.

Wow, has your “enemy” convinced you of this same lie: you are vulnerable, without help, without hope? Has your enemy suppressed your ability to freely enjoy your daily affairs, removing the sense of security and protection from your soul?

Back to the story: One day, the king’s son, Jonathan awakened with this thought, “Enough is enough. What are we doing? I do have a sword. I guess I’m the only one equipped  to face our enemy.  One thing is certain:  we can’t keep living like this!”   In full view of this taunting, stifling, and aggressive enemy, he began to climb the dauntingly steep cliff with his armor bearer and a single thought that strengthened every step, “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether He has many warriors or a few…the Lord will help us defeat them!” (1 Samuel 14:6, 12).   The Philistine warriors taunted him from their full view “advantage” point as they watched Jonathan climb out of the very valley they had reduced his people to dwell in. With confidence in the God who was perfectly able to deliver, Jonathan climbed his way up the cliff toward those enemies who waited patiently to destroy him.  Spears relaxed, I wonder if these taunting soldiers benevolently let the two brave warriors catch their breath when they finally saw the weary fingers and a flexed foot grip hold of the top ledge of the cliff?

(…Are you grabbing your popcorn?) This story goes from good to great! Jonathan and his armor bearer (2 of them) need no rest. Somehow they destroy the first twenty guards, when suddenly GOD CAUSES an earthquake and a panic among the enemy. In confusion tens of thousands of men begin destroying each other! [Don’t just read this, try to put yourself in the midst of this story (team Jonathan, of course)! Can you even begin to imagine the adrenaline raging through his veins?]

OK, Patty, sweet story, but what does that have to do with me?

You might feel a bit imprisoned by the “enemies” that surround you, that hover high on the cliff, leveraging your desperate thoughts and frayed emotions.  But God offers help and hope.  He provides Three Supernatural Gifts to rescue you from the slavery of whatever has stifled your joy and kept you from bearing fruit each day.

1. His watchful presence: Just as He fought with Jonathan in response to his faith, He is constantly moving before you, guarding you on every side, shielding you with His love and fighting for you. A fruitful life, filled with joy and purpose, brings Him great pleasure. He is committed to your success (John 15:8). Joshua 1 ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

 

2. An Armor Bearer: Jonathan didn’t attempt to face the enemy alone. He asked his loyal armor bearer to join him in the fight. If you don’t have a friend like this, begin to ask God for a loyal companion to stand with you, to strengthen you on your spiritual journey, to encourage you in the daily battles you face. I am joining you in prayer right now, asking the Father to send you this priceless gift, an armor bearer to carry the load with you. I wouldn’t be strong enough to stand today if Jesus hadn’t sent companions throughout my life to speak Truth into the midst of daily battles.  They fought beside me in prayer in the midst of frightening darkness: Cara Black, Wanda Nicosen, Joanne Portman, Diane Littlefield, Gwen Sullivan, Gail Johnsen, Beth Backes, Pam Johnson, Sue Reeve, Laurice Engle, Cathy Stephens, Barbara Fetter, Jamara Robinson, so many others…thank you, Jesus, for sending the right people at just the right time to stand with me in life’s battles!

 

3. His own Sword. In the New Testament, God’s Word is described as a sword, a gift of protection to us from His Holy Spirit. It has complete power to annihilate your enemy. Every time that life-snuffing, joy-robbing thief attempts to devastate you, literally destroy him with the Word of God. Watch God work miracles in your life as you replace lies with His unfailing promises.  Here are a just a few Scriptures that might help you start you wielding that weapon. Read them until they trump every other taunting voice.

• Psalm 107:20 – He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

 

• Isaiah 41:10 – Do not fear for I will help you. Do not be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will hold you with My righteous right hand.

 

• Jeremiah 29:11 – “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future

 

• Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago

 

• 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one

 

• Deuteronomy 32:10 – In a desert land he found [me],  in a barren and howling waste.
  He shielded [me] and cared for [me]; he guarded him as the apple of his eye.

 

• Isaiah 42:16 – I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

 

Today is a brand new day. Let’s refuse to live one more day under the choke-hold of our “enemy”. Get up, grab your sword, invite a friend to believe with you, and  move forward strengthened with faith in our God who will display Ninja fighting skills to rescue you from your captors.

Thoughts to ponder: 

What threatens to steal your hope, your joy?

What Promise will you cling to as you walk by faith in God’s victory over this “enemy” of your soul?