Well, none of those things have ever happened. Other things have happened. During this latest mission, while nearly 80,000 people were being won to Christ, the attack came in a way I wasn't expecting: The kids.
There were more than a few nights where I had about 2 hours of sleep because the kids kept waking up. With Malaika it's not so uncommon, but Junior has slept from 8-8 for as long as I can remember. He's a very good sleeper and hardly ever wakes up at night.
I hate not having enough sleep. The enemy knows that. He wants me to dread and fear when Sammy leaves so that I won't be supportive of him as he goes to do what God has called him to do. Plain and simple!
Thankfully, I've had to toughen up during this trip, and have come to realize that I can still fully function, have a good attitude and be a good mom to my kids, on 2 hours of sleep, BY GOD'S GRACE, of course. ;)
The attacks were more intense this time while Sammy's been gone. I think it's because he's been in India. The spiritual climate is different there than in Africa, therefore different spiritual attacks.
1. It's intense fear.
2. It comes at bedtime.
That exact scenario happened. So, what did I do? I texted Sammy in India. I was so scared, even though I knew it was an attack, I couldn't get the fear to stop. It turns out that he was preaching at that very moment. That's when it was solidified that it was spiritual warfare.
The good thing is that my texting didn't disrupt him one bit, he finished his sermon, texted back to reassure me, prayed for us, then turned to pray with all of the people lined up in front of him waiting for prayer. Ha!
When He speaks or warns about something that's going to happen, or is happening, the gentle peace of the Lord will still be there, even if it is about whooping cough or some dangerous situation. When it's a legitimate concern, His presence will be there. His peace will be there. That brought so much assurance and freedom to me!
I've decided that the next time Sammy is gone, I'm going to take more of an offensive stance rather than a defensive one. I realized that I hadn't been taking up the full armor of God. I'm going to pray more for the kids and for myself to cover us spiritually in addition to focusing on praying for Sammy and the team that is with him.
When people ask how they can help, the real need that I have is prayer cover. God helps me function with 2 hours of sleep. I can get the kids to the store to shop. It's fine if I don't have a break. But what I cannot do without is prayer covering. My need while he's away is spiritual. Yes, the physical help is wonderful, and I love it, and I will take it. But what I NEED is spiritual.
Those are a couple of the things I've learned this trip. I hope something in there encourages someone reading this. They are not at all what I was expecting to learn or experience, but I'm glad to have gone through them.
Officially, about 80,000 people came into a brand new relationship with Christ. Unofficially we cannot estimate how many did so as millions of Indian people across India tuned into the live TV broadcast to hear the Good News. To God be the glory!
Thank you for this honest post about real warfare ... It has encouraged me
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Kim!
ReplyDeleteFear is an imaginary enemy that we create in our imaginations. That means it is only real in our minds. There is no reality to it in fact, space, or time. Just a movie we made up based on a lie planted in our imaginations. We treat that imagination as true reality.
ReplyDeleteTrue reality is to be found in the "now" of this moment. There is where we meet with Jesus and know His peace that passes all understanding. ( "Now" faith is...) If we access Jesus in the now, He is pleased with us. We access by faith and faith is pleasing to God.
If God be for us (in the now) who can be against us? In the now, a pleased God sees us and gives us His love and perfect love casts out fear.
The enemies strategy is to take us out of the "now" where Jesus lives with us and put us into our minds and our imaginations. Jesus does not exist in our imaginations. He is real and with us at this moment. He is not a thought.
Nice job Suzi. You are super mom in the now with Jesus. It truly is a battle for our minds. I just slap the table and declare, "Now faith is....!" Next time you need prayer cover give us a call, we will mobilize.
Great insight on the nature of fear. Thank you!
DeleteGreat insight on the nature of fear. Thank you!
ReplyDeletemany times we pray for missionaries and missions.But one thing we forget is to pray for the families that are left behind.this is indeed a reminder.my prayers with you suzzy.
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