After I became a Christian as a young teenager, I spent years living in defeat and darkness. I spent my days fighting with hopelessness, suicidal depression, and crippling anxiety. And soon came to believe that God had made a mistake when He created me. I resented Him for creating me only to then to abandon me to such darkness.
Last month I went through a period of very dark emotional and spiritual depression again. I could not cope. And one night it felt like anxiety and depression were taking over my mind. I lay in bed hands raking through my hair, feeling not okay.
It was then I texted a close friend asking for prayer. But not only that, but I also got out of bed and began fighting the enemy who had me in his clutch through this darkness. I began claiming promises and truths, like, “I am a child of God. I dwell with God in His palace.” And I told the enemy he needed to go because he had no power over me. The darkness began to lift, and I was able to go to sleep more peacefully that night.
The next evening, I had a scheduled appointment with my therapist during which time we discussed the darkness I was feeling. She asked me a very poignant question after I explained what I had been dealing with:
"Since when does the enemy have power over your life?"
And how poignant of a question is that!! Truly. As children of God, does the enemy have any power over us? Not theologically speaking. In your experience, does he? I have come to believe that the only power he has is the power we give to him.
Does not the Bible say:
"For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God."
(Colossians 3:3)
And:
"Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you."
(Luke 10:19)
As believers, God’s complete protection is ours. We do not have to succumb to the power the enemy tries to wield over us. Yes, he will try. He does go around like a roaring lion trying to destroy us. But he does not have that power over us if we are in Christ.
Because God also says:
"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."
(John 10:10)
So, that therapy session? It taught me to rise into the place of authority I have because I am a child of God, again. I had given the enemy too much room and attention. And strayed away from believing in God’s promises of grace and love.
I see too many believers living these defeated, despairing lives. Too many of us are not aware about the power that is ours as a child of God. Not just a child of God. But a joyful, victorious, purposeful child of God.
"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God."
(John 1:12)
It is our right to be a child of God. It is our right to live free lives.
I love how Phil Wickham so eloquently puts it:
"Then came the morning that sealed the promise:
Your buried body began to breathe.
Out of silence, the Roaring Lion
Declared the grave has no claim on me."
Dear friend, if you are a believer today, you have the right to be a child of God. The grave has no claim on you. Don’t let the enemy whisper otherwise to you, as he so intimidatingly can. Let us rise as children of God and take our rightful place! Let us live in the power and purpose God has destined us for!
"For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up in their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
The LORD says, I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name."
(Psalm 91:11-14)
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