Session 8

Read

Psalm 46, Philippians 4:6-9, 2 Corinthians 10:5

The realization of battle settled in my chest. I was wounded, numb and, felt defeated. My beliefs had been strategically assaulted. I was in a burn out fog. 

But God……

God pursued me, He came to me and gently whispered His strategies to fight back.

• Rest, let yourself stop, say no, eat a good meal, take a nap if you need, take a day with no structure or expectations.

• Trust me to care for everything when you take a break and let yourself recharge. (Psalm 46:10)

• Remember My truth, think on what is true, noble, right. (Philippians 4:8)

• Thank Me (Philippians 4:6)

• Remember I AM Faithful (Psalm 146:6, Duet 32:4) I AM Provider (Genesis 22:13-14).

• Remember I AM with you. I AM your refuge. (Psalm 46) Let this sink into your soul, you are not in this alone, I AM with you. (Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 73:23)

• Remember I AM for you. (Romans 8:31)

• Remember who you are in Me, Victorious (Deut 20:4), Loved (Jeremiah 31:3, John 3:16), Forgiven (1 John 2:12), created for a Purpose (Ephesians 2:10)

God didn’t stop with the whispers, but sent friends to encourage me and pray when I couldn’t pray.

As I let my physical body rest, and as my mind focus on His truth, clarity came, energy returned. As I focused on His truth and taking lies captive, joy returned.

This was a straight up trial. The kind James talks about rejoicing in. Once I had realized what had hit me, I had a few choices to make. I could listen to God and believe and obey Him. Or, I could ignore God’s truth, and instruction and believe the lies of the enemy. I had to choose what I believed about this trial when I walked forward. I could take on the identity of victim, and believe God wasn’t good or trustworthy for allowing this trial. Or, I could believe what God says, “They may have meant for you to be a victim, But I meant for you to have victory”.

Victory is moving forward with your identity in Christ, not the circumstance. It is moving forward knowing and reflecting back to see God was with you, and will be your refuge, strength and provider always. Victory is moving forward knowing He will use this for His glory and your good.

Sometimes the temptations we come up against aren’t about moral choices, but about what we believe. I was greatly temped to believe God wasn’t who He is. I was tempted to believe wrong things about myself and my situation. But God…. He reminded me of His truth.

Have you been hit by a storm of doubt and circumstances?

What beliefs have you been tempted to reject?

Have you experienced burn out?

How do you recharge?

Where was God in your situation?

How did God move on your behalf?

Truth Takeaway -We have an enemy waiting to use our vulnerabilities against us. But God. God is our refuge and strength, our helper. He is the Lord of Hosts who is with us, we are not left to battle the enemy alone. 

Scripture memory challenge: If God is for us, who can be against us. Romans 8:31