Saturday, July 16, 2016

For When You're Struggling

Hey Friend,

I got to know Donna through our mutual enjoyment of a devotional blog called (in)courage (www.incourage.me).  I've shared my struggles with OCD induced anxiety and depression with you before.  I do well most of the time, but on this one particular day I was in the middle of an "episode". 

I was struggling to hold onto God's Truth.  My mind was filled with doubts, and the more it was filled with doubts, the more guilt and shame crept in along with downright fear.  I was sure God was disappointed in my lack of faith and He felt so very far away.  My mind was swimming with negative thoughts and I couldn't push them out no matter how hard I tried. 

You may not have OCD or depression, but I'm sure there have been times when you've struggled.  Struggled with negative thoughts, or doubt, or fear.  Thanks to Donna's reminding...I remembered just who is at work when I am most vulnerable...  the enemy (I call him the creep).  The enemy is a vengeful foe.  He seeks to isolate and destroy us and our minds are his battlefield. 

Recognizing who and what we are battling is the fist step in victory when we are struggling.

I'd like to share a letter to me from Donna in its entirety.  It brought great comfort knowing I was not alone and helped alleviate a lot of the guilt and shame I was experiencing.  In the battle with the enemy...she joined forces with me and I am forever grateful.

"They overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony."  (Revelation 12:11)


23 comments:

  1. Friends like Donna are one of the priceless gifts that community brings us. Thanks for sharing what 'encouraging one another daily' looks like, Bev ...

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    1. Linda,
      Thanks for scrolling all the way down to leave an uplifting comment - you are a treasure!! We're all in this boat called "life" together and I believe God wants us to encourage and lift one another up! This was too good not to share!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  2. Wow, a true friend shares her friends, and you have done that for us today. Thank you for this gift of second-hand wisdom.

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    1. Michele,
      Second hand news and gossip is not good, but second hand wisdom is always good to share. Good words of Truth are like a salve to the soul!!
      Blessings friend,
      Bev

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  3. Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

    This is a familiar passage. But as I discussed it with my spiritual mentor, I lamented that it is hard for me. So - in her wisdom (just like Bev did for you) - she shared this . . .

    When fear or doubt or confusion, etc. enter my thoughts, picture them as real people. When they knock on my door, look out and when I see who it is don't answer the door!

    But, I cried, what if they trick me and look like someone I should let in?? She gently advised me: Let Jesus answer the door. WOW

    So when I find myself slipping into old habits, I stop and yell, "Jesus please answer the door for me" and it actually works! It makes me aware of that dangerous first step into a place I should not go. It gives me the strength/power to overcome because - well, to be honest - I am hiding behind Jesus. But Scripture tells me that is ok. I would certainly do it for a child of mine. It also helps me to re-focus my thoughts to where they should be . . . on Jesus and His Power, His Protection, His Strength, etc.

    Thanks for sharing :D

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    1. Nann,
      I am a visual person too and your idea of picturing them as people you don't want to let in the door is perfect. I call the enemy "the bully" and I, too, picture him wanting to get in the door. He will try to get a foothold - a foot in the door if you will - but we need to, in Jesus power, slam the door shut on him. I also love your idea of "Let Jesus answer the door!!" Reminds me of the scripture...The Lord will fight for me, I need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14). Our translation...The Lord will open the door for me and deal with who is on the other side...I need only to be still. Hiding with you sister behind the strength of Jesus.
      Blessings and ((hugs)),
      Bev

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  4. Bev, thank you for sharing your friend today. There is much encouragement to be had for us all in reading your words and those of Donna. We all need friends like that. More so, may we be that friend to others, encouraging and uplifting one another as we need. Blessings to you, friend!

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    1. Joanne,
      May we be that friend to others...Amen!! Yes, Donna's kindness to me makes me examine how I encourage and lift up others?! Thank you sweet one for partnering with us in your contribution to Redeemer Christian Fellowship, Inc. May you be richly blessed!!
      Love you,
      Bev

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  5. Bev -- I am so glad you shared this today. It is so needed and a beautiful reminder of friendship and how we need each other. It's God's plan for us to walk together on the journey. Visiting you today from Sue Detwilers link up. Blessings!

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    1. Laura,
      You are so right...God made us as relational people who need to walk together on this journey called life. Friendship is not optional...to me it's a must have. So glad you popped over from Sue's place. Welcome!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  6. I am thanking God right now for the gift of beautiful Christian friends who speak into our lives just when we need them. Your friend, Donna, is one of those beautiful gifts. It is so easy for us to get lost in our own thoughts, good or bad, and become consumed. We believe there is truth in these thoughts even if God shows us otherwise.

    The "creep" loves to work on me in weakened moments to the point that I start believing a made up truth instead of God's truth in His Word. Thank you for your vulnerability today as well as sharing the importance of Godly friends. Love and hugs!

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    1. Mary,
      As you pointed out, the "creep" wants to isolate us - get us caught up in our own thoughts and lies he whispers to us - because then he can destroy. Having strong Christian friends that can speak TRUTH into our hearts is crucial because it keeps us plugged into God's lifeline for us. Oh how the enemy loves to kick us when we're already weakened. Thank you for being a Godly friend to me. You are a treasure!!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  7. Bev, I'm so glad I'm your neighbor over at Holly's this week. Donna's letter to you is chalk-full of strong truth. I have times when I feel so isolated, and I am coming to understand that this is the enemy feeding me lies. They seem to fit into my thoughts, feed into the wounds that I am still being healed from . . . and I don't always recognize those slimy words for what they are: LIES.

    Thank you for sharing vulnerably from your heart, and sharing the truths so many of us need to hear.

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    1. Jeanne,
      I'm so glad that Donna's words were able to be a balm to you as well! Oh how the enemy wants to isolate us, whisper lies in our ears, and then bash us with the guilt we feel. He is a fierce foe and cunning. All the more reason why we need good Christian friends who are willing to speak TRUTH into our hearts when the enemy has us in his cross-hairs. Lies do easily slide into wounds, but God wants to heal those wounds with His Truth!
      Blessings Jeanne - so good to have you here!
      Bev xx

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  8. What a beautiful and encouraging friend you have in Donna. I'm so glad you shared the letter with us. I was very encouraged.

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    1. Barbie,
      I'm glad you found Donna's letter encouraging...it was too good not to share!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  9. It is wonderful to see people who know their adversary as who he is. So many people are in denial as to who is always trying to knock us down. This past weekend I had visit from one of my nieces who is such a dear person. Sweet, soft spoken, meek, humble and all good words, however since she was a child, her mom has had a mental imbalance. It is all she has ever know. Something happened to her some years ago that she could not help, she had a breakdown. Now, the adversary is telling her in the mind that it is not over, she will be punished, and it just does not go away. Every things else seems normal for her, however these voices in her mind hinder a normal life. I prayed for her on Sunday, and felt the spirit of God, however the mean man has been on my trail all week seemingly.

    Please help me pray for Judi, that God will give her a clear mind and take away the past as she is so deserving of peace. She is a beautiful soul. I hope you join me with prayers as the Bible states any two touching one thing. Also please visit The Christian Network and I would love to have you visit The Woman's Post, we also have encouragement there.

    Thank you Bev for your work here on your blog. Love it!

    Thank you and God Bless.

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    1. Linda,
      Thank you so much for your insights you've shared here!! Yes, knowing who the adversary is, is a key starting point. Holding his lies up against God's truth is part of a key filtering process for our negative thoughts. I will be praying for Judi. I would also encourage her to go see a counselor...sometimes (as it is in my case) you need medical help in order to give the mind "traction" to be able to discern what is lies and what is Truth. Having had a breakdown, leads me to believe that she has some chemical imbalance going on. Just my thoughts as one who suffers like she does...What a wonderful family member you are to ask others to lift her up in prayer...I am doing so right now. Thank you for your encouragement here...so glad you stopped by!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  10. What a beautiful letter, filled with soul-strengthening truth. I plan to reread it again with journal and pen in hand, to internalize Donna's insights. Thank you, Bev, for sharing! I'm also encouraged by the commenters here, representing countless children of God who are waging this fight together!

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    1. Nancy,
      Amen that we are waging this fight TOGETHER and in God's strength. The Lord will fight for us; we need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14) I'm so glad you found soul-strength in Donna's words - I sure did!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  11. How beautiful is an aptly-spoken word! Thank you for sharing and encouraging our hearts. Perhaps some day each of us will have the opportunity to speak God's truth into the heart of a dear friend just as Donna has done for you. I love how honest and humble she was - what a gift!

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    1. Julie,
      I believe that would be God's intent that we continue to speak Truth into the next person's life. This world is hard and the enemy is fierce. We need to join together and encourage each other with His Word. It truly was a gift to me!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  12. What a great friend you have in Donna! How wonderful for her to comfort and encourage you. I love the name you've assigned to the devil: the creep. I may have to steal this label! He certainly creeps around a lot and manipulates us at our weakest and most vulnerable times. Thank you for sharing!

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I would really LOVE to hear from you!! Your thoughts, opinions, suggestions and prayer requests mean a lot to me.