Friday, November 28, 2008

The Battle After Victory

Isn't it so true that often when we experience a victory, a battle is right behind? I was prepared that this was was going to happen. Well...I don't know if prepared is the right word. Anxious. Fearful. Yeah, those are better words to describe me in anticipating the battle that would ensue once satan realized that God and I were making progress. I even alluded to it in my previous post that I was hesitant to write about any victory because it may not last. Well, it didn't take long for satan to come after me with a vengeance!!

Symptoms are back. Bearable. But they are back. It's discouraging to get a taste of all I've been missing this past year and a half and then have it taken it away again. Boy satan was waiting there to taunt me and get me to feeling sorry for myself. Just that fast!! Man, that makes me mad. Makes me mad at him. Makes me mad at myself. I do not want to be so easily moved from faith and praise to doubt and discouragement. But I have been. Good thing that our God is a god of mercy. He knew where I would be today. He's not surprised. But He is waiting here for me and He says "Game on, Sheryl. Let's fight!"

Fight is just what we are going to do. Back to battle. Praying for continued healing. Praying for protection of my heart and mind. Praying against the attacks of the evil one who is not very creative! You are not gonna win this one satan. Right now I am putting you on notice that God has already won the victory. He has overcome you and all your wily schemes. I am His child and His will, will be done in my life. I know you are hearing me. God has big plans for my life and you will not thwart those! Get behind me, satan. There is no place for you here!!

Please join me also in praying for Don. I was so thankful yesterday that God has given me the desire to pray for my "husband" again. Here is what I am praying: That the God of all comforts would comfort Don. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give Don the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that he may know him better. That the eyes of Don's heart would be enlightened to know the hope to which God has called him. (Eph 1: 17 & 18) Don is more alone than he has ever been in his life. His parents asked the kids and I to spend Thanksgiving with them yesterday. This meant that Don could not be there as the kids are still not willing to see him. While we spent time with his family, I would imagine that Don spent the day alone. God is taking him where He needs to in order to work the miracle that I KNOW God is going to perform.

Game on, satan. You are NOT gonna win. You may win tiny little battles but the victory in this war belongs to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!


26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dearest Sheryl

I am sorry that your symptoms are back. How very frustrating!

I just loved your line about God being there waiting for you. That's how it always is. God is there for us no matter what the circumstances. We can always count on Him.

I feel bad for Don. Being alone on the holiday and the kids not welcoming him in their lives. It must be very hard for him. I will join you in praying for Don. Praying that he will find God's love and be able to mend his relationship with the kids.

You take care sweetie. I think of you often.

Denise in Texas

UL Cards Fan said...

Got my spiritual armor on Sheryl. Many are standing on the battlefield with you. And yes Satan; Jesus has already won the WAR.

Let the REDEEMED of the LORD SAY SO.

Much love, LINDA

Anonymous said...

oh Sheryl, i know exactly how you feel. as my panic has come back full force, worse than ever before in the past month.

but the Lord is fighting for me, as HE will do for you :) He promises to fight for us!!!!

I just finished "Get out of that Pit" by Beth Moore and it was perfect for the struggles i have been in the past month, and definately lessons in there that i will need throughout my life.
I highly recommend it :) you will be so blessed and He will speak right to your heart :)


what the enemy intends for our harm, the Lord promises to use for our good!!!

huge hugs and continued prayers :)

love u
jill

Laura said...

Sheryl,

Linda said it right about putting that armor back on.
This is the Armor of God prayer that is based on Eph 6 written by Charles Stanley.

Let's stay focused on him. We know who will win the battle. No matter what things look like, WE CAN ALWAYS trust him.

***********************************


THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD PRAYER- written by Charles Stanley
Good morning Lord. Thank you for assuring me of victory today if I will but follow Your battle plan. So by faith, I claim victory over_____________________(list some things you know you will face today).
To prepare myself for the battle ahead, by faith I put on the belt of truth. The truth about You Lord—that You are a sovereign God who knows everything about me, both my strengths, and my weaknesses. Lord, You know my breaking point and have promised not to allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able to bear. The truth about me Lord, is that I am a new creature in Christ and have been set free from the power of sin. I am indwelt with the Holy Spirit who will guide me and warn me when danger is near. I am Your child, and nothing can separate me from Your love. The truth is that You have a purpose for me this day—someone to encourage, someone to share with, someone to love.
Next Lord, I want to put on the breastplate of righteousness. Through this I guard my heart and my emotions. I will not allow my heart to attach itself to anything that is impure. I will not allow my emotions to rule in my decisions. I will set them on what is right and good and just. I will live today by what is true, not by what I feel.
Lord, this morning I put on the sandals of the gospel of peace. I am available to You, Lord. Send me where You will. Guide me to those who need encouragement or physical help of some kind. Use me to solve conflicts wherever they may arise. Make me a calming presence in every circumstance in which you place me. I will not be hurried or rushed, for my schedule is in Your hands. I will not leave a trail of tension and apprehension. I will leave tracks of peace and stability everywhere I go.
I now take up the sheild of faith, Lord. My faith is in You and You alone. Apart from You, I can do nothing. With You, I can do all things. No temptation that comes my way can penetrate Your protecting hand. I will not be afraid, for You are going with me throughout this day. When I am tempted, I will claim my victory out loud ahead of time, for You have promised victory even now because I know there are fiery darts headed my way even as I pray. Lord, You already know what they are and have already provided the way of escape.
Lord, by faith I am putting on the helmet of salvation. You know how Satan bombards my mind day and night with evil thoughts, doubt and fear. I put on this helmet that will protect my mind. I may feel the impact of his attacks, but nothing can penetrate this helmet. I choose to stop every impure and negative thought at the door of my mind. With the helmet of salvation, those thoughts will get no further. I elect to take every thought captive. I will dwell on nothing but what is good and right and pleasing to You.
Last, I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word. Thank You for the precious gift of Your Word. It is strong and powerful and able to defeat even the strongest of Satan's onslaughts. Your Word says that I am not under obligation to the flesh to obey it's lusts. Your Word says that He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world. So by faith, I take up the strong and powerful sword of the Spirit, which is able to defend me in time of attack, comfort me in time of sorrow, teach me in time of meditation, and prevail against the power of the enemy on behalf of others who need the truth to set them free.
So Lord, I go now rejoicing that You have chosen me to represent You to this lost and dying world. May others see Jesus in me, and may Satan and his hosts shudder as Your power is made manifest in me.

Pam said...

WHOO HOO!!! I am joining you friend in these prayers... praying them for us both!!

Amrita said...

You are hungering and thirsting for righteous God will satisfy you.

Lotsa Love

Susan said...

Joining in with you as you continue to battle on my sweet friend!!

God is truly with you, for you and working IN you~

Keep on keeping on, we know the end of the story, it's going to be great.

Standing with you,

Susan

Alicia The Snowflake said...

I pray God gives you peace during this current struggle. May He comfort you and love on you.

It is amazing that you are able to pray for Don. Yes, he does need it. But it is not always easy to do.

I visited your blog because your pic reminded me of a local friend. I enjoyed visiting The Perch. I'll be back!

His Girl said...

reading this made me want to cheer you on with those old football cheers, GO! FIGHT! WIN!

Sheryl, victory is already yours... we're praying right along with you!

Suzanne said...

I am so thankful that you are able to share things so close from your heart. We all relate in different ways.

I don't remember if I shared this before, but when my husband of 17 years moved out (the day before Thanksgiving 7 years ago) I struggled on what to pray for him. I found a book by Stormie Omartin "Power of a Praying Wife" (http://www.marriagemissions.com/the-power-of-a-praying-wife/)There were times when I cried those prayers! It helped give me focus at times when words were hard to find.

I know He heard my prayers and my cries. The path that the Lord took me on made me single again, but He has been there for me and I am thankful for that.

I hope that this online community can make up for the prayers from your uncle. We will pray for strength and peace.

Count it all joy,
Suzanne
WatermelonVines Blog

Jennifer said...

Stopping by tonight to let you know that I'll be praying for you and all of your family.

Kimberly said...

Sherly,

So sorry that your symptoms are back but glad that you are putting the armor back on to fight again. As Linda said, we are all standing with you and standing in the gap praying for you and for Don! Love you very much my sweet friend!

KB

Unknown said...

Satan certainly WON'T win! We cannot stop fighting. Our sanity and peace are worth the fight!

Tammy said...

Sheryl,
You are right,the victory has already been won! You hold on to God's promises.

In Daniel 10:12-13,Daniel prayed and it took twenty-one days before the message was delivered to him.I often wondered what would have happened if he'd only prayed once for understanding...would he had received his answer?

Keep praying and standing on God's Word cuz your answer is coming.

I'm praying with you,
Tammy

Nina said...

Sheryl it sounds like you have a battle on your hands. I will pray for you because it doesn't sound like you have had an easy road. I admire you for praying for your ex as I am sure that can not be easy to do.

I am visiting from SITS.

Paula V said...

I love to hear the word bearable though, right? At least the symptoms didn't come back full force. Maybe they came back bearable to give you that fight attitude, determined to not be defeated.

You have been on my mind and heart. I lift you, your health, your family, and Don in my prayers.

I rejoice at you praying for your husband. Those are beautiful things you are praying. You are so right that God is taking him where he needs to be for God do perform His work. I can't imagine how it must feel that one's own kids and wife are with your (Don)parents but not you (Don).

Continued prayers for healing and restoration.
Love,
Paula

He Knows My Name said...

me too sheryl, i just am so so sad.

Anonymous said...

I really liked what you said, I think so many are in the same place. I am praying for Don's heart to change for the good Praying for you health.You are so very specail & desrive the best. Vicky

Debra Kaye said...

Sheryl,

Awesome post, sweet sis! You are so right...Jesus does win!!!

I will join you in your prayers for Don and hope that he comes to know his Savior.

Blessings to you and your children!

Courtney and the Boys said...

Sheryl,

Just read this post after I had already emailed you. On one hand, I am deeply disappointed that your symptoms of returned. But in all honesty, as I read this post, I had a smile on my face! I could just feel your courage and faith rising up in you! As I read you words, I could see Satan cowering in the background, cringing at your declarations. This is just as it should be, Sheryl. You are being tested and what a faithful warrior you are, even in the midst of disappointment and sorrow. And that you pray for your husband in the midst of it all. God bless you this day, Sheryl. God bless your children. And God bless Don. Praying for you and your family,

Courtney in Indiana

Unknown said...

Just want you to know I'm praying...won't stop.

But, I'm praying that God will hound Don until he kneels before our King.

God love's him and wants to be His life.

I'm praying for you too! Don't forget that. Our God is Jehovah-Jireh. He will provide everything you need for each day.

SherylDean

Shell in your Pocket said...

I am new to your blog but I pray that God's grace is upon you and your family! That forgiveness would be granted!
-sandy toes

Anonymous said...

Sheryl, I will pray with you for Don. I know for myself the aloneness is where my desperation met God in a new way. I will also pray for your health.

Anonymous said...

sheryl,

thanks for stopping by my blog and visiting and leaving a comment so that I could find you. Since I am a new reader, I feel like I have some catching up to do to understand the back story, but if I getting it right, you and I may be going through some similar things. I would love to chat more:

mcdonkate@gmail.com

Myriam said...

Hi Sheryl-

As previously mentioned by another post, the Lord will fight for you. It is so like our enemy to steal back our joy but our God is able.

I will keep you in my prayer as you continue to fight for what's yours in Jesus Christ.

Blessings to you.

Myriam

Tea with Tiffany said...

Fighting words of faith. YES! You are going to win. The enemy hates us but truly we are winners. Already with trophies of grace in hand.

Keep on fighting. God will not fail you. He will show you more of Himself. Yeah...