Ever feel attacked for no reason?
Doesn't feel good, does it?
Yeah, I know.
But you'll be alright. You'll make it.
My earliest memory of one of those unexpected blows happened in grade school. Every day, this guy who sat directly behind me in just about every single class, was so mean to me. He loved telling me how ugly and utterly gross I looked.
According to him, my hair was always a mess. My facial features were weird. The way I spoke was annoying. Let him tell it, God made one great big mistake when he made me.
I was thinking, what in the world did I ever do to you? I existed. And that seemed to bother him... a lot.
That kind of thing doesn't only happen among schoolchildren.
No-reason-attacks can occur at any time, at any age. They leave a big question mark in your brain, as you try to make logical sense out of something that doesn't make any.
A few weeks ago, a woman sent me a message through a member of my staff. She said she had been following my ministry for years and thought it was a blessing. However, the message took a turn. She pointed out one negative thing after another.
As I read through her communication that had been forwarded to me, I felt blindsided and confused by it. You see, I usually try to screen out negativity, but this particular message slipped through.
When I finished reading over her words, I just sat there for a minute and tried to process them. I wanted to consider whether anything she said had any truth to it and could be useful to me.
You know, I don't mind receiving constructive advice. I always seek to grow. But I could not find anything good or helpful, just very critical and hurtful words.
I prayed about the whole thing and confided in my husband, who, upon looking the message over himself, thought it best to ignore it.
Well, several days later, I received another message from the same woman apologizing for her first one.
“I was going through something in my life,” she said. “I don’t know why I said those things to you. I let the devil use me. Please pray for me.”
Thank God I didn't internalize what she said and let it wound me. Otherwise, I would have been feeling bad about an attack of the enemy that had no merit whatsoever.
Even though this woman came back by me, admitted that what she said was wrong, and asked for forgiveness, it doesn't always work that way. Some attacks linger, with no one to say, "I apologize. It's not you. It's me."
When you don't have that sort of upfront assurance that you are being unfairly targeted, the enemy loves to make you feel hurt, guilt and shame, as if you brought it on yourself.
Satan is so cunning, crafty and sneaky like that. He has no shortage of ways to attack us through people and life situations in general, in an effort to distract and get us off track.
If we don't recognize his schemes for what they are, we will feel discouraged, disappointed, defeated and down in the dumps. That rocky road upon which we tread, paved with stones that have been thrown at us, will leave us feeling vulnerable and victimized.
But friend, you are not a victim.
You are victorious through Christ.
While there is nothing you can do to stop the enemy from coming against you, you can be confident that what he tries will not be able to prosper.
Remember, it doesn’t matter where the opposition comes from, when you know your help comes from-- the Lord.
To remind you to remain encouraged and confident in God during times of attack, I’m stirring Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV into your cup of inspiration. It says, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, you will be reminded that battles are unavoidable, but the victory is also inevitable, because the Lord is on your side!
Now let’s pray.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
God, I can’t stop trouble and trials from arising in my life, but I am thankful that in times like these, You also arise and work things out in my favor. I pray that You will give me the courage, strength and faith to face every opposition with full assurance that You have already given me the victory, and that no weapon formed against me will be able to prosper. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with you. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
