Dismantle the Attack of the Enemy

 

Everyone knows someone whose family is grappling with challenges, and you may even be facing uncomfortable issues within your own home. We’ve all heard the saying, “a family that prays together stays together.” This simple truth highlights the crucial role that prayer plays in strengthening our family bonds. Because the people we love most are involved, issues can exceed our knowledge and capacity to handle them, leaving everyone’s well-being at stake. We don’t have all the answers, but our Heavenly Father does, and communicating with Him continually should be a daily practice. As 1 Peter 3:12 (NLT) reminds us, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.” This assurance not only encourages us to seek God’s guidance but also extends the confidence that He is listening, ready to support us through our struggles.

Sometimes, issues can seem insurmountable, especially when resources are scarce. I remember a young boy who lived across the street from my family. He had five brothers and sisters, and his parents fought constantly. Every morning on the bus, he smelled as if he hadn’t changed his clothes. One day, he didn’t get on the bus, and he was absent for several days. I later learned from my parents that his family had moved away unexpectedly. His mother had packed them up in the middle of the night after their father came home in a drunken rage, becoming violent and harming her and one of the older children.

I’d like to say that this is something that seldom happens, but all of us know that isn't true. Domestic violence and abuse occur in many families across the globe, leaving lasting scars and trauma on the adults and children who are victims of terrible treatment from the abuser. In some cases, it’s extremely challenging, yet very courageous for a person to leave. If finances and support are minimal, it can feel as though a better life is out of reach, but it is. We can trust with all our hearts that through Christ, peace, comfort, and abundance are never out of reach. God promises in Psalm 34:18 (NLT): “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” 

Jesus Christ instructs us in Mark 11:22 (NLT), "Have faith in God." This instruction is especially crucial during the toughest times of life. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) reminds us, "And it is impossible to please God without faith." From this verse, we can understand how important our faith and trust in God are to Him. When we think that He won't help us, or that He causes hurtful and harmful situations to happen, those thoughts hinder our faith.

Our Heavenly Father is wonderful and loving towards us, as His Word tells us. God's Word is the truth. Romans 10:17 (NLT)  tells us that "faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes from the word of Christ." This means that faith arises wherever the truth of God's Word is spoken. However, when we entertain thoughts that don't align with that truth, we're not moving toward faith, and therefore, we are not pleasing God as we should. 

We have an enemy, satan, and he wants to destroy families and undermine their unity. If we don't recognize this truth, we won't be prepared with the strategies found in God's Word. Growing up in a home that constantly is under the threat of domestic violence is one of the ways satan robs us of joy and happiness--not just for ourselves, but everyone in the home. This is not the Will of God. At times it may seem as if your enemy is constantly getting over, but we have the power to take back the peace, comfort, and abundance that he has stolen from us. 

God provides us with the spiritual weapons and strategies to dismantle the enemy's attacks and plots in Ephesians 6:11-12 (NLT): “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” This passage makes it clear that it is crucial to equip ourselves with truth, righteousness, prayer, and the readiness to spread the gospel of peace. This empowers us to resist the temptations and attacks of the devil that seek to harm our families.

Understanding that our struggle is not merely against people but against spiritual forces helps us recognize the need for vigilance and prayer. By embracing these tools that God has provided, we can confront the challenges we face and protect our loved ones from the destructive influence of the enemy. When we actively engage in spiritual warfare through prayer and the Word of God, we reclaim the authority granted to us as children of God, enabling us to restore peace and unity within our homes. Trust God to help you do this. His Holy Spirit lives in you, and therefore, as Philippians 4:13 declares, you can do all things through Christ. 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Dismantle the Attack of the Enemy”, written by Kim for
https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Take it Away, Lord

 

How many times have you found yourself in a tough spot, wishing God would just take it all away? Maybe you messed up big time, and you know only He can pull you out of that mess. But here’s the thing: God knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees our hiccups, our slip-ups, and our moments when we decide to go our own way instead of waiting for His perfect plan. Yet, even with all our flaws, He still loves us fiercely and wants us for His own very special people.

In 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NLT), Paul shares his own struggles: “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’” Think about that! God’s strength shines brightest when we’re feeling low. So instead of running from our weaknesses, we can lean into them, knowing that they’re an opportunity for Christ’s power to flow through us. Paul goes on to say, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” That’s a game-changer right there.

Here’s the truth: when life gets real, we have a choice. We can either cling to God and turn our backs on the world, or we can do the opposite. But let’s be real—if we keep messing up and asking for forgiveness, expecting God to just overlook it like it’s no big deal, we’re missing the point. Life doesn’t work that way. As Galatians 6:7 (NLT) reminds us, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” If you’re sowing bad seeds, you can bet those seeds will grow into something ugly. God has designed the universe so that it reflects what you put out there.

If only we could remember these hard truths when tribulation paints a different picture than what we’d like. I’ve seen and heard many Christians struggling mentally and emotionally under life’s pressures. But here’s the thing about tribulation: it pushes you to draw closer to God. When things spiral out of control, you realize you have no choice but to lean on Him. It’s in those struggles that you truly see God’s love shine brighter than ever.

As Romans 8:35 (NLT) asks, “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or cold, or in danger, or threatened with death?” The answer is a resounding no! Nothing—neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing—can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. In our darkest moments, that love is our anchor, reminding us that even in the struggle, we are never alone.

The Apostle Paul was able to boast in his weakness because it was in those moments that God was glorified through him. Paul faced some intense struggles and had many enemies, to the point where he often prayed for God to remove the “thorn in his flesh.” But God knew that Paul needed to lean on Him, and not worry about those who wanted to see him suffer.

There may be some of you that have encountered folks who would like nothing more than to see you suffer. But as the seasoned veterans in the Lord tell us, “With God on your side, you can never fail.”

When we don’t trust God during tough times, we create distance from Him through a lack of faith in His love for us. Doubt can be one of our biggest enemies. Many Christians find themselves focused more on escaping their struggles than on remembering God’s love in those moments of tribulation. It’s easy to wish for a break from the pressures and hardships of daily life, but it’s in those very challenges that we can discover the depth of His love and strength.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) tells us: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Our Heavenly Father doesn’t ever want us to be unhappy, sad, or depressed. The Lord Jesus invites us to leave our fears and worries with him, because he can handle them. Many of us struggle with letting go, even those who have been on this Christian journey for a while. But we must realize that we were never intended to walk alone. We were created as God’s children who will forever and always depend on Him. Through His strength, we are more powerful than we can imagine. Life doesn’t have to beat us down for us to grasp this truth.

Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us of our purpose: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” God makes it clear that the pressures of life can slow us down and signal that we’re not where we should be. But remember, because of His love within us, we can learn from our mistakes, correct our paths, and live a life of victory and happiness. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Take it Away, Lord”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Unresolved Hurt

 

After a recent conversation with a woman about her fiancé, she realized she’s carrying a load of unresolved pain from her past relationship. It’s been nearly a decade since Sherry divorced her ex, and she’s been with her fiancé for the last two years. Despite her desire to enter her second marriage free from past wounds, her pride is blocking her from confronting the lingering anger and bitterness she still feels from her previous marriage.

Proverbs 18:12 (NLT) warns us, “Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.” This timeless truth speaks directly to our struggles, showing us that while the human soul can be deeply wounded, dealing with those wounds isn’t easy. Yet, it’s in humility where God’s love truly shines. Humility opens the door to surrendering to God, guiding us on the path to reclaim what’s been lost. Pride, on the other hand, is a major stumbling block. It clouds our vision, making it hard to see the corrections we need or the guidance available to us, and often leads us to missed chances and poor decisions. When pride takes the wheel, all we see is ourselves, and that narrow view can steer us off course.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” When it comes to confronting resentment, bitterness, and pride, many of us hesitate to embrace the humility God requires and yield to Him. Instead, we let these burdens continue weighing us down. This fear of letting go is not of God—it’s rooted in darkness. Deliverance for believers happens when we face our deepest fears head-on. From personal experience, confronting past pain can be eye-opening, but it’s also where true healing begins, and a fresh start is possible.

If you’re stuck in pride, you might find yourself stumbling repeatedly before you recognize the bruises or realize you’ve strayed off course. Proverbs 16:18 (NLT) warns, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” These struggles indicate that you’ve drifted too far from God’s plan for your life. It’s up to you to make things right, knowing that God has empowered you to do so. Galatians 5:16 (NLT) tells us, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” As we yield to God, we can be confident that each day offers an opportunity to be guided by His Holy Spirit and to live powerfully through him.

The emotions we experience when someone significant causes us heartbreak and disappointment can turn toxic if we hold onto them. They can disrupt our relationship with God by pulling us away from the person He has called us to be. Philippians 2:5 (NIV) instructs us: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” In every relationship and circumstance, God calls us to embody the attitude of Jesus, which is marked by humility, forgiveness, compassion, and love. We are to navigate our interactions with others by clinging to his example of love. This means letting go of resentment and embracing a spirit of compassion and understanding, reflecting the mindset Christ has set for us.

We can’t carry unresolved hurt and pain into our new relationships. Doing so would set us up for failure and steer us away from God’s plan for our lives. To avoid this, we need to release this pain, allowing our hearts to be light with God’s love and grace. We can be confident that unity with Him through Christ ensures that every Child of God achieves their full potential. Through His Holy Spirit, our Heavenly Father has equipped us with the ability to recognize when something is off in our souls. We have the spiritual capacity to make necessary shifts and corrections that align us with God’s Will, enabling us to reflect His goodness in everything we do.

1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT) says, “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” Living by God’s power is a deliberate choice, just as choosing to cling to past hurts is. For Sherry, the challenge wasn’t about closing herself off to love, but rather avoiding the painful task of confronting old wounds. Her pride led her to believe that with the love of the new man in her life, there was no need to let go of bitterness and resentment towards her ex-husband. She convinced herself that addressing her deeper emotional pain with God’s love wasn’t necessary. However, this is never the case. Pride can deceive us into prioritizing personal happiness over our responsibility to walk in God’s love and seek His approval. While maintaining a positive self-view is important, it should not come at the cost of rejecting God’s transformative love. True fulfillment comes when we open our hearts fully to His healing power, allowing His grace to renew and restore us.■

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Unresolved Hurt”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.