The Battle

I write this as an encouragement today to anybody who is battling lies about who they are, for anyone who is facing spiritual or earthly attack.  You are not alone, your Savior fights with and for you!  For His Word says, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16)."

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"You're too judgmental, mean, and prideful.  What could God do with you?  You're not understanding, courageous, or graceful.  You try to solve everyones' problems but it never helps and they don't want it anyways. You try to be a good enough Christian, you try to be perfect.  You'll never be what you want to be, you'll tear yourself apart, you are unworthy of God.  Why should anyone care about you?  How could you ever think you're anything, you're nothing, there's nothing special about you so why even strive to be better?"

He shoots his awful arrows tainted with lies, one after another.  Some knick layers of my skin and leave their mark, yet they fly far from my heart, missing widely.  One strikes my foot and I stumble, the lies threatening to knock me off my feet, but ultimately I stand again as another arrow sails past my head.  I am shielded and protected by the one who defeated him through calvary on the cross!  I feel a warm arm wrap itself around me and look to see the beautiful eyes, filled with love, of my Savior!  He leans in close and whispers in my ear,

"You are my daughter," an arrow sails past me and I hear a howl of pain.
"I see no stain on you, my child, I took it from you on the cross."  I hear another arrow sail forward.
"You are my beloved and captivating princess who I adore!  I have set you free!"  Another arrow finds it's target.
"My grace is sufficient for you, you are perfect without even trying because of my resurrection and love."  More howls of pain sound from a distance.
"I have an incredible plan and purpose for you, you do not have to prepare for it, for I will bestow what you need when you need it."  Another arrow sails...
"I am always here, I will never leave you and I will always love you."  And another...
"You are more than enough.  You are kind, loving, patient, humble, graceful, encouraging, and understanding.  You are perfect to me, and you are needed in this world."  And another...
"There's nothing you need to do to earn my love, and there's nothing you can do that will make me stop loving you as much as I do!"  As another arrow sails past me and I hear it strike it's target, I feel my gentle Savior place something heavy in my hand.  I look down and see a glimmering sword.  I look into His tender eyes and feel His warm hand take my empty one.

We begin to walk forward, toward the sounds of howling and pain.  He guides me toward my attacker, now a writhing and sad mass.  Pierced in him are eight arrows that I realize came from God.  I look at Jesus and feel Him squeeze my hand.
"You know what to do," He says.
I stand up and hear a commanding voice leave my lips.
"In the Name, Power, and Authority of Jesus Christ I rebuke you!"  I take the sword and plunge it into my enemy's dark and evil heart until he lays still and quiet for good.  He will not hurt me again.  

I remove the sword and then look to see His gentle smile.
"Well done good and faithful servant, well done."  He says.
"Jesus, it still hurts.  My enemy may be gone but the pain remains."  I can feel my wounds ache and feel weak and worn from the battle.  Jesus embraces me and speaks softly, lovingly,
"Daughter, you took a risk trusting me and now you are healed and whole."  At His command my strength returns.  I look down and see that my skin is pure and clean once more.  I smile and leap back into His arms!
"My grace is sufficient enough for you," He reminds me, "Live well, live blessed!"
I smile and whisper, "Thank you Jesus!"