A CONSTANT BATTLE
Or a battle that’s constantly reoccurring? Yesterday I was talking to my husband at the gym and I asked him, “Do you ever get jealous?” To which he nodded and with wide eyes spoke a resounding, “Yes!” Ok. I’m in good company. I began telling my story. I was in a conversation a week ago and a person I desire to know that they love me and like me said a very beautiful comment and harped on another person, raving about them. The next day, more of the same raving about that same person from another source.
From the first day, the first comment began watering an old crop of seeds from my childhood- seeds of rejection. I wish I could go into more details, but hopefully you get my point. From that first comment, I began feeling rejected. It shouldn’t be this way, but I wanted that person to speak of me like the way they were speaking of this person. Maybe they do behind my back, but never to me. That old seed of rejection was coming alive again. It’s not a constant battle, but rather a recurring battle in my life and the enemy likes to use it just when I thought I had conquered it. There are some things that never fully go away, just lay dormant until a more opportune time.
“Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:13
The devil will flee when you resist him and he cannot stand against God’s Word, but he likes to hang around and watch. He waits for an opportunity to attack when he spots a weakness. I know myself. Rejection has worked on me in the past, so the enemy uses rejection on me at times when other things don’t work. Sometimes I can resist and let it go. But if I’m in the right place, right time, right circumstances; the enemy knows it will work on me again. This battle took only a few days to wrestle out and conquer. I’m getting better.
In the past, it could take weeks or months to get over, this time it was a few days. Victory! What I want you to know and understand is that just because it’s a reoccurring battle, does mean you need to fall into shame because you thought you conquered that thing. The enemy of our souls is deceptive, deceiving, lying, manipulating and very good at what he does. A reoccurring battle just means you are still alive and you are still living in this fleshly earth suit. You are going to be battling something. It’s never “if” you will go to battle, it’s “when”.
“When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’” Deut 20:1-4
We wrestle against spiritual wickedness in high places. You will battle from time to time. Here’s what I can tell you to help overcome these things: 1) know yourself and the things you struggle with so you can recognize the attack when it comes. 2) once you recognize the attack, don’t dwell on it, don’t wallow in it, don’t throw yourself a pity party; cast those thoughts down immediately. 3) talk to a trusted friend, reveal how you are feeling and let them shed light on the truth of the matter. 4) let it go and let the Spirit speak the Word of God into your heart and mind.
If you are anything like me, receive God’s Word of His affirmation and love for you. Dwell on that. If you are constantly seeking approval from men, you will always be let down and rejection will rule you. But stay in His love and acceptance and the enemy cannot do his dirty work.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page