Recently, I had a vision while in worship where I was in what looked like the trenches.
I was ankle deep in mud. I was fighting hard but I wasn’t weary. I felt strong and secure knowing what I was doing. There was darkness all around but I could see light.
I heard the Holy Spirit say, “You have no idea how powerful you are and the important call on your life, this pain won’t last much longer.”
I was gaining new ground with each step I took and each swing of my sword.
I feel this isn’t just a vision for me, I feel this is a vision for many.
So many of us have felt like we are in trench warfare, fighting for our life with no end in sight. But I feel it strongly in my spirit: the victory is ours and the battle is almost over.
I have been in a beautiful season with the Lord, but also one of the most challenging seasons of my life.
I have been going through so much physical pain that some days I don’t even know how I’ll be able to function (Jesus!).
But I’ve also experienced the nearness of God in new and amazing ways.
I asked Him, “What are you teaching me right now? I don’t understand why I’m not fully healed YET but I choose to trust you.”
I heard Him say, “You’re learning to have joy no matter the circumstances.”
Pain, no matter what kind - physical, mental, emotional or spiritual - can so easily steal joy.
But joy, I’m learning, isn’t a switch I can just turn on.
It’s an internal shift that happens as I stay close to the Fathers heart.
It’s not easy to be joyful in pain, but joy is a weapon.
Psalms 84:6-8 says, “Even when their paths wind through the dark valley of tears, they dig deep to find a pleasant pool where others find only pain. He gives to them a brook of blessing filled from the rain of an outpouring. They grow stronger and stronger with every step forward, and the God of all gods will appear before them in Zion. Hear my cry, O God of Heaven’s armies!”
The enemy wants us to focus on the battle - on the “dark valley of tears.”
But we aren’t supposed to stay there.
We are called to dig deep, to find the pleasant pools and access the brook of blessing!
How?
Through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Worship instead of focusing on the pain.
Ask for prayer, be vulnerable with Jesus.
Surrender your fears and doubts to Him.
Tell God you can’t do it on your own and ask Him to fight for you.
Laugh when something is silly.
Take a walk and pray in tongues.
Breathe in God's presence that is always near.
Play with your kids, or pets or have coffee with a friend.
All of this is helping us “grow stronger and stronger with every step forward.”
The God of Angel Armies is fighting for us and with us.
Don’t give up, warrior, don’t lay down your sword. The call on your life is important, the world needs you, mighty one!
“Through Your glorious name and Your awesome power we can push through to any victory and defeat every enemy.” Psalms 44:55
Declare this with me, “Jesus is my conquering hero, I have victory in His name and the JOY of the Lord is my strength!”
~ Caitlin Sawyer
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