Are you in the midst of circumstances that seem insurmountable? Are you tired of fighting the good fight of faith and at the end of your rope? I can relate, all too well. The Bible tells us that “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Revelation 12:11 NKJV. Our testimonies are powerful! So I am going to share with you my most recent testimony and I pray that it will encourage you. Several weeks ago I went to a Beth Moore conference with one of my best friends. It came at a time when I was going through a very difficult season in my life. I knew I needed this time away, even though I had just returned from vacation not that long ago. I needed time with my dear sister in Christ, and I definitely needed a fresh word from the Lord. While we were at the conference I felt that I needed to go up for prayer at some point, but I honestly didn't know what to ask for. I was simply so tired of asking God for help to get through the situation I found myself in and to find the answers that I needed for me and my family. I was just totally burnt out on asking God for help, and feeling almost totally hopeless. Yes, each day the Lord gave me new mercies to continue on, but I was just hanging on to the end of my rope by this point. When the opportunity came for prayer I went up even though I had no idea what to ask for. My friend and I approached a woman who had just finished praying for someone else. She asked me what I needed prayer for. I didn't have a good answer because I didn't know what to ask for as I had become numb on so many levels. But suddenly the Holy Spirit quickened my spirit, and I told the her that I needed an upgrade to my spiritual armor. As the thought came out of my mouth it felt so very appropriate. I felt like I needed stronger armor to make it through this season that had been filled with one battle after another. She very willingly prayed with me for what I had asked for. I left not feeling any different. No surge of power had come upon me nor I didn't feel much stronger than I did before I had gotten prayer. Even though I didn't feel any different, I knew God heard the prayer and knew exactly what I needed. When I asked for prayer for an upgrade to my spiritual armor I didn't even think of what might come afterwards. And it was a good thing I didn't, because I wouldn't have asked for it! It is like they always say about people who pray for God to give them more patience, what they actually get are more opportunities to practice patience. When I got back home I was returning to things just as I had left them. As the following weeks progressed things got more difficult, and I felt as if I was being crushed to the breaking point. I knew I couldn't do this alone, and that though I felt like isolating myself, I knew that was the worst thing I could do under the circumstances. So I asked my closest friends to be in prayer for me and the situation I was facing. The best friend that went to the conference with me said something to me that made total sense. She told me that new armor has to be battle-tested. I kind of laughed to myself and joked with her that perhaps I should have asked for a tank instead, because this was getting intense. But she had a very valid point. Now fast forward a few weeks, and praise God, breakthrough in the situation finally came! So how did this upgrade to my spiritual armor stand up under the battle tests? Quite well! In fact had it not been tested, I wouldn't be able to determine that. This is what I have noticed since that first test. I definitely came out a little bruised and beaten but it didn't take me anywhere near as long to recover from the battle and to have my wounds healed by the Lord as it seemed to take in the past. Before the dust had even fully settled on that situation another situation reared its ugly head and a new battle was underway. And as this new battle has ensued I have found that I have a greater confidence and peace that somehow God is going to use this all for His glory. For anyone who knows me, they know me as more soft spoken, compassionate, kind, and loving. A warrior mentality is not something that would be the first thing that came to mind if someone was asked to describe me. Because I am more of a lover than I fighter, this has led me into many abusive relationships where I would just take the abuse rather than rising up and standing my ground. Since I was a child the enemy has set forth a plan to keep me oppressed and in bondage and blind to the truth of who God created me to be. My name is Christine Louise. Christine meaning “follower of Christ” and Louise meaning “famous warrior”. I actually hated my middle name most of my life. Even my mother didn't like it and only named me that out of obligation to my father's side of the family. But when I looked up the meaning of my middle name I began to truly appreciate it on a whole new level. A dear friend I have known for many years recently told me, “When I see you, I see a princess warrior.” Of course this just made me well up in tears, because it struck a cord deep within my soul. While my nature still naturally leans towards being a lover, I am beginning to embrace the warrior within and embracing the spiritual authority that God has given me. There is much I have to learn, but with the Holy Spirit as my guide I will be able to fulfill all God has called me to do in this life, in both showing the love of Christ to others and being an effective spiritual warrior. So if you are going through a major battle right now, be encouraged. You have a warrior within and God has given you all you need to overcome and be victorious!
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