Anxiety, Fear and the Devil

Since the first of the year, Aaron and I have made changes in our quiet time...we actually have it now.  Before, it seemed we just couldn't find the time.  I work 32 hours a week in three days. That means I'm at work by 6am and usually I don't get home until about 6pm.  When I get home...Halle needs dinner right away and Mommy and Daddy need to eat too.  Bed time comes shortly after and if I am working the next day I need to get all Halle's stuff ready for the next day and mine too.  I'm busy.  So is Aaron.  But, we were using our busyness as an excuse.  We are making the time to read our bibles and study the word.  It's becoming a habit for us and I'm so thankful.  I won't tell you it's been easy, because sadly it hasn't.  I have been in such a spiritual battle.  This past week I experienced more anxiety and fear than I have in probably 7 years.  It was paralyzing me.  Have any of you experienced this??  My word.  It stinks.  After a few days of battling this on my own I approached Aaron and shared with him what I was going through.  I am so thankful that my Husband is a Man of God, full of prayer.  I know when I ask him to pray for me, he does.  I can feel it.  My entire thought process has changed since Elliott.  Being more bold in my faith is causing the mean ol' devil to take notice of things I'm doing.  How I'm speaking out, sharing my faith...even the words I type on this blog.

Not long after Aaron and I were first married I went through a really rough time.  I had so much fear and anxiety...and depression.  My Dad was fighting for his life, battling his way through cancer and I had a lot of health issues I was dealing with.  It was hard enough for me to get out of bed, let alone go to work.  I prayed a lot.  This scripture became my lifeline:  Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus....Philippians 4:6-7, NIV  And this was a very close second:  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind....2 Timothy 1:7, NKJ  I have grown up in the church.  In a spirit filled, hand raising, speaking in tongues church.  One where people have "fallen in the spirit" after being prayed for.  One where words of prophesy were prevalent.  I think you're getting the picture.  I know what a spiritual battle is.  I knew then and now that I was going through one.  How do you come against this? Pray without ceasing.  Bury yourself deeper in the word.  Sing praises to our Jesus, pray in the spirit.  Do not believe what the devil is telling you. He is a liar, pure and simple.  He came to steal and destroy....Our Jesus came to bring us life....more abundantly.  And, that mean ol' devil will not destroy me.  Folks we are in a spiritual battle.  It's time to put on the full armor of God.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Epeshians 6:10-18