Reflections of Grace Slider

I have never been known for my poise when it comes to walking. It seems I have always been a little off balance and clumsy. My awkward displays have made for a lot of giggling among our family at many of our gatherings.  One such incident happened many years ago. My family and I went to a restaurant after a church meeting. I had on sling-back floppy 4-inch heels that day. Going into the restaurant, we walked in front of a row of windows, with customers eating on the other side.  I took a step at the same time as my husband, and the heel of my shoe got caught in the hem of his pants. It jerked my feet out from under me. I went flying and landed right on my nose and knees at the feet of my teenagers, my purse flying into the parking lot. My kids looked at me with utter shock and disgust and embarrassment that I would do such a thing to them.  My husband could not contain his mirth as he retrieved my purse and helped me up.  I had huge holes in my pantyhose, and a very red nose.  I glanced at the customers through the hair hanging in my face, and there they were, watching the whole show with barely contained smirks on their faces.  I held my head up and marched into the restaurant as if I was the Queen of England.

This morning I was walking and talking with Jesus.  I was praying about various struggles in my family’s lives.  He told me that we are in a war.  Not a war against people, but a war against evil.  He began to show me that my weapons are not worldly but spiritual. My weapons are mighty before God for the pulling down of Satan’s strongholds.  Jesus said He has already freed me from evil, but Satan will continue to battle me as long as he thinks he has a foothold in the doors of my life; as long as I am making a difference in the Kingdom of God, evil will try to defeat me. But I am getting stronger by the day, and my weapons are not worldly, but mighty before God.  What are those weapons? Intimacy with Jesus, talking to Him and surrendering to Him the control of my life, the Word of God and praying in the Spirit, and faith in Him and in knowing that He has already defeated Satan.   It is bringing all my thoughts captive to what my King says about me, and not entertaining doubt and unbelief.  The key to this battle is the very first thing I mentioned, and that is intimacy with Jesus.  He has my back.  Oh, that I could see into that invisible world of the Spirit.

“And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17)

Image: bible study outlines
Image: bible study outlines

The same way I have fallen flat on my face on many occasions in my everyday life, I have fallen flat on my face in my walk with Him.  I think I am so spiritual one minute, and then out of the blue, I go flying into space and stumble into doubt, fear, and unbelief. But did I just lay there that day that I fell in front of the restaurant, (Okay, both days I fell in front of the restaurant) and pray that an ambulance would come and get me? Well maybe it crossed my mind a few times.  No, I got up and believed I had dignity and continued on as if nothing happened.  I refuse to give Satan any place in my life. He may think he can cause me to stumble, and because I am human, I will, on occasion.  But I will get right back up and get right back into the presence of my Love Jesus and be a victor!!

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments and in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me.  I, the Lord, have spoken! For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the Heavenly places. (2 Corinthians 10:4, Isaiah 54:17, Ephesians 6:12)