I've been dealing with a significant trial for about a year now that feels like it's become a giant mocking me. When did the Devil attack? Subtly in my weakness, when I really wasn’t looking! I've had to learn some tough lessons along the way that have ultimately strengthened my faith and drawn me closer to God. Although, I really wish I wasn’t learning the hard way, but sometimes it’s out of our difficulties where God is able to strengthen and refine us if we will let Him (See James Chapter 1).

God showed me through much prayer and fasting where my battle began, and even what I personally did to open the door that allowed it all to begin. It was a very small, seemingly insignificant event; I even know the night it happened. I opened a door to the devil that day, and all it took was just one time taking hold of one single thought that exalted itself against the Word of God.

It has created and stirred a conflict within me, a raging war that has since turned into a deeply spiritual battle that continues to be a constant struggle. Even today God has shown me that He really won't be mocked (Thanks, Niecy!), and all I really need is a "sling and stone" to defeat the enemy. A sling and stone? That’s it? What a simple tool God chose to give David to defeat a giant! A giant no one else would dare to face. How much more simple is it to simply dare to believe and use the Word of God as our weapon against the attacks of the enemy!

How do we know when something is exalting itself against the knowledge of God? By knowing His Word....it should be our filter through which we process every thought that comes to our mind. If that thought is against God's Word then it's straight from the pits of Hell and we should not act on it. Because if we act on it, embrace it, continue to entertain it, then we take hold of it instead of casting it down, and taking hold of it is where strongholds begin to take root in our lives. The devil wants to sneak in and subtly steal from us, weaken us, keep us from our calling when we aren't looking. We are the one’s he [the devil] is ultimately after so he can render us useless in our service to Christ Jesus.

Giants like David's Goliath, sneak into all of our lives in many different ways. Through trials, temptations, etc. Some we bring on ourselves, some are out of our control. We need to be ready, fully equipped, prepared for battle when these times come. We need to begin to fully understand all the weapons of warfare God has provided us. We need to understand how to effectively use them. Most of all, we cannot be afraid to use them.

Do you want to take your “giants” with you into the New Year? It’s time to take a firm stand against our “giants”, slay them with the truth of God’s Word, casting away every thing that hinders so that we can focus on moving forward with Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith (my paraphrase of Hebrews 12:1-2).

So the question remains….will you stand up and fight? God has placed a sling and a stone in our hands (the truth of his word)? Do you know how to use it? Are you ready to use it? Stand up! Pick up your weapon, and fight!

God bless,

Toni