I wish topics like spiritual warfare and spiritual attacks were talked about more often. As Christians on our journeys with Jesus, it is common we go through different seasons of life, where some seem more dull, dim, or excruciating than others. There are so many subtle ways that the enemy attacks our hearts, minds, and souls, leaving us feeling downright unworthy of God’s love or feeling lost within our identity in Christ. I’m going to be open about it - but I’m just getting over a spiritual attack. The past few weeks my schedule has been overloaded and I had been running the streets day after day, without any pause moments or enough sleep at night. I felt so many odd emotions and so much anger/sadness built up inside of me weighing down my heart. It finally came to a point where I was just done. I had hit a wall from ignoring all the early-warning signs that my battery was getting low and I needed to recharge myself and spend some alone time with just myself and Jesus. I so badly wanted to be myself - upbeat, fun, relaxed, happy. But I couldn’t. My emotions and mind would only let me stand blank faced, wanting to cry and feeling restless. I was even feeling so tired of my own church. But why? I LOVE Hillsong. My head was just filled with so many lies. Spiritual attacks aren’t always the easiest to identify. Sometimes you can be convinced that it’s just your own fault. Like you did something wrong and that’s why you feel distant from God. But that’s not the case. The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10) but Jesus has come to give us life, and wants us to live it to the fullest. Some ways the devil can attack us are by: attacking our passions (such as praying), attacking our focus, attacking our identity, attacking our families, attacking our confidence, attacking our callings, attacking our purity, attacking our contentment, attacking our hearts, and by attacking our relationships. Satan knows if he can get us to believe the lie that God won’t come through, he can get us to stop praying. If we stop praying, he knows he can weaken our faith. And when our faith is weak, it’s only a downward spiral from there. Yesterday I went to church, still feeling this burden on my heart. It only took a minute before my closest friends noticed something was up and they pulled me outside to get me to talk about it. Honestly, it’s never in the moment, but this always ends up being my favorite part about breaking those chains, receiving breakthrough, and setting yourself free from all the bondage the enemy has set on you. And this is why it’s so important to do your journey with other Christians. We can’t walk our journeys alone. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Like now that I prayed about it, talked to other Christians about it and got it all out in the open air, I was able to cast all my anxiety and anger and emotions to Jesus, and now I am free from this attack. It’s also important to realize the importance of these spiritual attacks, however, and how God can use them for our own advantage. God let’s these attacks happen to us because it draws us closer to him. Every time it happens, Satan intends for it to hinder our faith and create a gap between us and God. He doesn’t want us to run towards God or other Christians for that matter and ask for help. But once we do, and once we become aware of what’s happening, we can rebuke it and tell Satan to flee (James 4:7) and become free from it. I’ve been through soooo many of these, and I just keep telling myself that Satan is after me because he knows what I’m about to do and he knows all that God has planned for me. He knows my potential and he doesn’t want me to join the military and bring people to Jesus. So you have to hold dear to your faith. Also, it’s super important that you’re in the word constantly. You have to get the TRUTH inside of you. Whenever you’re feeling shaken by the world around you, it’s a sign you need the unshakeable word inside of you. Also it’s so important to be vocal with God. We can talk to him just like we do with anyone else. And there’s something about speaking out loud to Jesus, crying out to him in times of despair, and praising him with everything you have left, that truly grows us and draws us closer to Him and his love. It’s super hard sometimes. Satan doesn’t want us to pray or read our bible or worship or have a clear mental state. Sometimes you’re gonna have to force yourself to do it, and you’ll feel way better once you do. It’s like working out, but with your faith. Your faith is a muscle, and the more you exercise it, the more it will grow. The more you get into a routine with talking to Jesus and getting his tangible truth inside you, the easier it will become. Prayer is also vital. Start small and grow to big God-sized prayers. He’s big enough to handle any of our thoughts or cries or situations or circumstances. Whatever it is. He wants us to reach for the stars, believing we’re not going to settle for the moon. I myself am still working on hearing his voice, which can be difficult. But we have the Holy Spirit within us and we need to really pray and ask God to reveal his spirit to us and his voice. And sometimes it helps just to be in a quiet room and just sit there and listen. God does speak to us. So, if you are ever going through a spiritual attack: 1. Pray. 2. Read the Bible. 3. Tell someone. 4. Decide to not let it hinder you. 5. Let go of the situation/spiritual attack. Our Christian journeys are going to be full of spiritual battles. Satan is always after believers - especially new believers, since they’re so fresh in their faith, it’s easier to turn them away from the start. But remember, when Satan starts attacking you, you are on the right path. He only attacks people he knows are dangerous to his mission. You have to stand up, put on the full armor of God, look evil in the face, and refuse to back down until you are free! All I can say is the more it happens, the easier it becomes to deal with, the stronger you’ll see yourself each time, and the more you’ll grow in relationship with Jesus. You WILL be tempted to quit when you are closest to your calling. Yesterday, while I was feeling down and hopeless and crying, I was told, “Faith... you’re leaving in three weeks.” And that’s just what I needed to hear. I automatically remembered how Satan is always after those who have so much potential to continue the mission of what Jesus has ordained. After this, I looked at my phone and my mom had texted me, “I was just thinking.. whenever you are attacked it is right before a blessing.” It was an instant moment to be able to put those pieces together. I’m about to enter a crazy new season of life - of course the enemy wants me to feel down and terrible about myself, Church, and the people in my life. But all that is coming against me, is only training for where God is taking me. He has great plans for my life, and he has amazing plans for your life, too. The one who attacks you has a lot to fear. Be strong and take heart (Psalm 31:24). 💗
