Sometimes ministry is just hard. Sometimes we have a message the enemy doesn’t like, and he puts up great opposition.
The day my book “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” released (available at Amazon), my husband was diagnosed with cancer. That was no coincidence. Just recently, the companion Bible study released (available at Amazon and Redemption-Press), and the enemy is not happy about that. Honestly, I don’t care if the enemy is not happy. I don’t serve him—I serve the God of all hope, and I answer to Him.
But he has been pulling out all the stops to make this journey really difficult. So I am putting a stake in the ground, and I am saying “No more! No more, enemy! I’ve had enough.” I have had Hillsong’s song “Not Today” playing on repeat lately, and declaring out loud that today is not the enemy’s day to mess with me or my family, not tomorrow, not ever again!
Scripture says that the battle is the Lord’s.
“This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15)
We can try, and we can fight but ultimately, the battle is His.
I am standing on Scripture. I am declaring that no weapon formed against me or my family will prosper, in Jesus’ name.
“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17)
Sometimes when you’ve been fighting the battle, and you find that you’re ineffective, sometimes all that is left is to stand, and to let God fight the battle for you.
That’s where I’m at right now.
I’m going to stand. I’m going to stand on God’s word. I’m going to stand on His promises. I’m going to hold Him to His promises that He will fight for us. There are too many people who are stuck in the valley of depression and need to know the way out. There are too many people who need hope. There are too many people who have yet to recognize their identity in Christ. The enemy is threatened that that is my mission and call from God.
My book is releasing, and the word of God is going out in it, and people are going to find His help, His hope, and His healing, because Scripture says that God’s word will not return void without first accomplishing the purposes that it was intended to accomplish and there is nothing the enemy can do about it. There are people who are stepping up to the plate who are going to lead small group Bible studies online or in person using the “Hope Prevails Bible Study” to help others find help, hope, and healing from depression by digging into God’s word.
Lately the enemy has thrown his arrows every which way but loose, and that’s okay, because my God says that He will fight for me!
“Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” (Deuteronomy 3:22)
So when you have done everything you know to do, stand and watch God fight for you.
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Exciting News!
The Hope Prevails Bible study is now available!
Are you or is someone you love experiencing depression? This book offers tangible help, hope, and healing from someone who’s been there and has come out on the other side.
In this Bible study companion to Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression, Dr. Bengtson, a neuropsychologist with over 25 years of experience, shares both her clinical expertise and her own personal journey through depression.
Dr. Bengtson’s personal experience is interwoven with questions for reflection, key thoughts, music playlist suggestions, resources, plus a leader’s guide.
This Bible study can be used as a companion to Hope Prevails or independent study by an individual or is perfect in a small or larger group study. Useful for churches and counseling practices.
“Authentic connections, raw insights, and powerful truths. A great resource for individuals that would be highly beneficial to both church and counseling groups.” ~ Pastor Debbie Kitterman, Founder, Dare 2 Hear Ministry
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Congratulations ont he new study version! Amen to standing on God’s promises and truth! HE is the One we serve!
Continued prayers for you and your family, Michelle.
I continue to share the good news. Satan has no right to us, Not today, Not tomorrow, Not ever. You are the best friend a girl could have. I love you. Diana
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 Just saying Satan, Not today, Not tomorrow, Not ever. In the name of Jesus. Amen
Amen! Prayig with you and for you, my friend!
I recommended you after reading a post the other day, the lady described giving in and going to the doctor for depression medicine. I mentioned your book in the comments because they were more than I bothered to count. I recommended you on a prayer board. You are right about a message he doesn’t like, I wrote about not giving in to suicidal thoughts after reading about one, I had no trouble posting that one. But then there was a healing post, I kept tabs on the girl. I wrote it, I had prayed for her, I felt tremendous fear trying to get me to let it go, but I didn’t. I was a little disappointed, even others who prayed for her didn’t seem to be as excited as I was. I realize you have to back off a little, I literally prayed for people with cancer ( and they are still alive ) but I was exhausted. Anyway, it’s out there. That lady can hold her baby, and another one went home. the devil can just back off, put that in his pit and stoke it! Matthew 16:9, let’s bind him and that retaliation we get and loose Jesus into the mix. Love and blessings…
There is a song, Stand On His Words with the words of the title of this post. couldn’t agree with you more…it’s the only rock that holds what hardship comes our way.
My word for 2017 has been “standing,” and I love this little refresher course in why I can “stand and hope in the glory of God!”
Praying right now for you, Michelle! Psalm 28:7
Yes and amen. Not today, Satan! You know you are doing something right when he starts messing with you.
((Michelle)) Standing with you, holding your arms up, sister. Prayers. ((Hug))
Amen! Sometimes all we can do is stand. I love that Jesus fights for us. Standing with you in prayer for your husband.
What a great reminder. Thank you for contributing to Literacy Musing Mondays.