Hello friends, family, and prayer warriors
Please forgive me for waiting so long in posting another update. Things have been a little hectic lately. We are now almost 2 weeks out from our departure date- June 18th.
Many things are coming together. Vaccines are being administered, visa applications approved, itineraries are being finalized and packing parties being scheduled.
These things are necessary, but overall trivial. The real work is the heart preparation, the spiritual bolstering and the prayer. We see the physical world, but the spiritual realm is the root. Ephesians 6:12 says
"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."
The spiritual battle has been building, and I have felt it. These last 2 weeks have been very difficult for me, and if I had to guess, it has been equally difficult for my other team members who are going on this trip.
Work has been stressful, my physical health has not been up to par, and I've been distracted. People ask me- "How are you feeling about the trip? Are you ready?" And the honest response is... no.
I must confess to you all- I haven't been thinking about the trip much. I haven't been praying about it. I have not even really been looking forward to it. There has been so much on my to-do list, that it has become just another item that needs to be addressed, worked on and checked off.
I have been much more focused on the daily struggles of what is right in front of me. Dealing with a SIBO diagnosis, trying to determine what to eat that won't make me sick, staying on top of added work responsibilities, buying groceries, doing my budget, and here's the biggest one- struggling with my sleep schedule.
I don't know if you can relate, but when I am stressed, I turn to old coping mechanisms. For me- it looks like wanting to avoid my problems by watching TV and staying up late. Thus ensues a cycle of self- sabotage where I stay up late, sleep in late, and push off my responsibilities to care for myself. Physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
It is easy for me to get focused on myself, on my problems, on the physical in front of me, and forget the spiritual. Forget the truth.
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5
This is the truth. Isaiah 54:17 says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. That is my inheritance from the Lord. I have been given armor (Ephesians 6). I have been given authority (Luke 10). I have been given peace (John 16). And I have been given victory (1 John 4:4).
Of course the devil is scheming. That is all he has. That is all he can do. Try to tempt me, scare me, depress me, frustrate me. But he has already been put in his place by our Conquering King. This is what I need to set before me each of these next 17 days before we leave. My true identity, my true inheritance, my true authority and power as God's chosen daughter.
Please pray for our whole team that we would keep these spiritual truths in the forefront of our minds as we fight against the distractions. Pray for self discipline, space to focus and prepare our hearts and minds. Pray for health. Pray for provision. Pray for peace and spiritual protection.
Thank you Lord for your word, your lamp, your light that illuminates the old, worn out tactics of our enemy and shines light on the truth of Your Victory. Forgive me for focusing on the physical, for doubting your provision and care, and for allowing the enemy a foothold in my thoughts and actions. Give me your Holy Spirit power to resist the temptations of the enemy until he flees, and stand in the truth of your victory. We love you King Jesus.
Please forgive me for waiting so long in posting another update. Things have been a little hectic lately. We are now almost 2 weeks out from our departure date- June 18th.
Many things are coming together. Vaccines are being administered, visa applications approved, itineraries are being finalized and packing parties being scheduled.
These things are necessary, but overall trivial. The real work is the heart preparation, the spiritual bolstering and the prayer. We see the physical world, but the spiritual realm is the root. Ephesians 6:12 says
"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."
The spiritual battle has been building, and I have felt it. These last 2 weeks have been very difficult for me, and if I had to guess, it has been equally difficult for my other team members who are going on this trip.
Work has been stressful, my physical health has not been up to par, and I've been distracted. People ask me- "How are you feeling about the trip? Are you ready?" And the honest response is... no.
I must confess to you all- I haven't been thinking about the trip much. I haven't been praying about it. I have not even really been looking forward to it. There has been so much on my to-do list, that it has become just another item that needs to be addressed, worked on and checked off.
I have been much more focused on the daily struggles of what is right in front of me. Dealing with a SIBO diagnosis, trying to determine what to eat that won't make me sick, staying on top of added work responsibilities, buying groceries, doing my budget, and here's the biggest one- struggling with my sleep schedule.
I don't know if you can relate, but when I am stressed, I turn to old coping mechanisms. For me- it looks like wanting to avoid my problems by watching TV and staying up late. Thus ensues a cycle of self- sabotage where I stay up late, sleep in late, and push off my responsibilities to care for myself. Physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
It is easy for me to get focused on myself, on my problems, on the physical in front of me, and forget the spiritual. Forget the truth.
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5
This is the truth. Isaiah 54:17 says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. That is my inheritance from the Lord. I have been given armor (Ephesians 6). I have been given authority (Luke 10). I have been given peace (John 16). And I have been given victory (1 John 4:4).
Of course the devil is scheming. That is all he has. That is all he can do. Try to tempt me, scare me, depress me, frustrate me. But he has already been put in his place by our Conquering King. This is what I need to set before me each of these next 17 days before we leave. My true identity, my true inheritance, my true authority and power as God's chosen daughter.
Please pray for our whole team that we would keep these spiritual truths in the forefront of our minds as we fight against the distractions. Pray for self discipline, space to focus and prepare our hearts and minds. Pray for health. Pray for provision. Pray for peace and spiritual protection.
Thank you Lord for your word, your lamp, your light that illuminates the old, worn out tactics of our enemy and shines light on the truth of Your Victory. Forgive me for focusing on the physical, for doubting your provision and care, and for allowing the enemy a foothold in my thoughts and actions. Give me your Holy Spirit power to resist the temptations of the enemy until he flees, and stand in the truth of your victory. We love you King Jesus.