When darkness closes in, will you still trust God?

When Satan presses in so close that his lies become a constant torment, will you still believe God cares for you?

When God trains you in the dark, He is teaching you to listen for His voice, to allow Him to guide your steps when you can’t see, and to trust Him when the enemy tries to twist your thoughts.

The world doesn’t understand this type of training and will tell you to run the other way, to get out as quickly as possible. The enemy will accuse you of doing something (or everything) wrong, insisting this is your punishment. And unfortunately, some closest to you may even agree with the idea.

You can immediately discern the truth by asking the Holy Spirit to reveal if you have some unconfessed sin lingering in your life.

If so, repent and ask God to forgive you. Then move on as you thank Him for His mercy.

But if this isn’t the case and you find yourself still standing in the dark, with the only light coming from the enemy’s flaming arrows, lift up your shield of faith and brace yourself.

God is teaching you how to hold that shield and how to wear your armor – YOUR armor.

You can’t borrow someone else’s spiritual armor, and you can’t assume you wore the armor of God once before, so it must still be in place. You must put it on every day.

Spiritual warfare has been increasing in these last days, but God has not left you unprepared for the battle, and He hasn’t left you to fight alone.

The hope enveloping you in the dark is your Heavenly Father’s presence. It’s as if His arms are wrapping around you, shielding you from so much more than you can imagine. Trust that He has a purpose and that good will come from your time in the darkness.

As you stand your ground, you can encourage other weary warriors with what you’ve learned:

Your faith is under attack. The enemy wants you to abandon your faith because, without your shield, you’re an easier target.

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” 

Isaiah 7:9c NIV.

Hold onto your faith, even in the dark. God will strengthen you.

Oh, precious soul. If you could only see the army of angels God has surrounding this battlefield, you wouldn’t tremble as if you stand alone.

But your courage mustn’t come from what your eyes tell you. It must come from your faith in Almighty God and His promises.

Remember the faithfulness of your powerful God who never leaves you, never grows weary, never gives up, and never runs out of resources to help you.

Stand strong, brave warrior, and fix your heart on Him as you hold tight to your shield of faith with a grip the enemy and all his dark forces can’t shake loose.

And remember, Jesus defeated Satan on the cross. You’re simply defending what is already yours. 

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” 

Ephesians 6:16 NIV.

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