There are times when life seems serene and calm and everything is going smoothly; there are also times when life seems like battling in a raging storm when you can barely stand up, let alone move forward. Winds and floods have battered the UK over recent months and in the winds just before Christmas, my husband said he had actually struggled to keep standing as he walked from one building at work to another because he was effectively caught in a ‘wind tunnel’ at that point.
When we are in those times of battle – which can be invisible to other people and almost inexplicable even to our own hearts – it is very difficult to hold on, let alone find weapons of victory. But God has promised that no weapon forged against us will prevail (Is 54:17) and has actually given us spiritual weapons with which to fight back (Eph 6:11-17). One of those weapons is called ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’ The power contained in God’s word, when released into our lives, not only sets us free but enables us to stand, even in the fiercest storms. Recently, I read this in a friend’s blog (reproduced with her permission):
‘His Gr…‘ You clear your throat. These words are important, but as you speak, the darkness grows heavier and the silence grows louder, overwhelming your thoughts and intercepting your words. You are fighting back the darkness, and you have only these few short words.
‘His Grace is sufficient.‘ A break in the silence. ‘And His power…‘ It is too much, the darkness is getting heavier, overwhelming and overtaking you. But you have to speak. The only way to get rid of the darkness is to bring in the light. You try again.
‘His Grace is sufficient. And His power is made perfect in weakness.’ As the words are released into the silence, something breaks through the darkness. A light. Dim, at first, but growing brighter with every word. You look around you, but the light is not there. And yet the darkness is retreating. You glance down. The light, it is coming from inside of you. It is radiating its bright yellow-white rays from your heart. And as you speak words of truth, it glows brighter still.
‘There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ The light burns brighter.
‘In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him.’ The darkness is retreating.
‘He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion.‘ The heaviness is dissipating.
‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.‘ The air clears.
‘He who is in me is greater than He who is in the world.‘ The light bursts forth from within you, and suddenly, there is no longer any darkness. You are bathed in glorious light. Radiating from within, it is shining its truth over you, eclipsing the darkness which had threatened to overwhelm. You are free from the heaviness, the oppression, the battles, the lies, the hurts. The light has overcome that which you could not.
‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’ – John 1:5