where the fight is

I used to have paralyzing night terrors from the time I was a small child through my late 20's to early 30's.  I could blame it on the horror movies I watched as a child or any number of thing that we face day to day but, the truth is that our enemy, as children of God, is willing to do anything to cripple us and bind us so that we are less effective in our God breathed purpose.
It took me years to find the answer to calm my fear. The answer came through a book "Victory over the darkness". All I had to learn to do was call on Jesus. First I began to try to just think the name of Jesus and it would help but, my fear would soon return.  I quickly learned where the real power was...saying his name out loud so the enemy knew I was a child of the reigning King of Kings. Now, I had the knowledge that even evil trembles at the mention of His name. So, when fear pierced my heart and took over my thoughts... I learned to utter the name of Jesus out loud. I then was able to pray through it and now I can stand up and proclaim the name of Christ and ask God to expel anything not of him and to protect our homes our minds and our hearts from the enemies attacks. I never understood the reason for the torment.....
Unfortunately today, my children also struggle with night terrors. However, by the grace of God it has been my blessing to not only teach but, to model my faith by sharing my story with them and together we pray, praise and celebrate that when we are faced with fear...we know that we win! Being saved we have the power of Jesus Christ in us and in that....there is no fear.
So my friends, we need to take seriously the fact that we are being attacked. Just because you ignore it or deny it doesn't mean it isn't happening. Oblivion is not going to protect you from attacks on your heart,  your mind, your marriage or you children. Only your faith and knowledge in God will be your weapons but first, you have to acknowledge that you are in a battle then be the warrior that being God's child requires.
....The reason I believe God allowed and still does allow the torment? It's the only way He could teach me and make me truely understand the power that is in me just by uttering the name of Jesus. O, how He is in the intricate details!

Focus and Joy

So, it has come to my attention in daily conversations and in the back of my mind lately, just how many times we miss the joy that is ours there for the taking. I have wasted so much time being "distracted" by things in my past. Through it all I have actually learned and few things so far.  In my years on this earth (and in yours too, I am sure), I have had many trials, losses and painful events take place that nearly destroyed me. For so ling, I held on to my feelings connected to those past events.  Those "feelings" controlled my ability to invest in my life opportunities and experiences.  Those "feelings" became my knowledge and I was making my decisions and planning my days around my feelings. I had days when nothing happened, no drama, no joy, just a day.... I was not capable of joy. I could not devote my complete focus to anything, even the things I was most passionate about. I was not able to follow through on anything because of my distracted and fragmented state of mind.
So, the difference between then and now? The difference is I know my living, loving Savior.  He brought forgiveness and peace to my mind and heart. He healed those wounds and I began to unknowingly have the ability and blessing of investing all of me, on a daily basis. I am began to realized that I was not so burned out, drained and that I could now actively participate and be present in my opportunities and life experiences.
My marriage...it has always been the most stable thing about me and now.... wow, it is even better and stronger.  Is it perfect? No, but absolutely the one thing that I thank God for Daily (in the good and in the tough).
Another thing that changes with freedom from past pain is focus. Now, I am able to start, follow through and complete tasks, goals and projects.  I have found that if I keep my focus on God and my relationship with Him, all else falls into place in the way it should.  Is it all easy, good and without failure? No, but it is all useful and needed to help me be a better person willing and able to pass on anything of value to others.
Before I accepted Christ, my focus was on my present circumstances. After Christ, I can be present in my daily circumstances not focused by them.