A Shield Around Me

​I have had a hard time getting my thoughts together on this theme of overcomer.   Not because I have never had to deal with hard stuff and not because God hasn’t helped me overcome, but because so many of the issue’s I have dealt with haven’t been 100% cured.  I kept asking myself, what am I cured of?  And that’s not the point.  The definition of overcomer is “to prevail over (opposition, debility, temptations, etc.)” It doesn’t say prevail once and for all.   It’s not being cured of something, never to have to deal with it again.  I have heard people say they quit smoking and never craved a cigarette again or they quit drinking and never wanted another drink.  For the most of us though, God has brought us through a tough time AND he continues to be your strength because the struggles come again.  At least, that’s the case for me.     Often times I think that God wants us to learn from Him and lean on Him in the tough times and then continue to learn and lean in the better times as well.  I know with my struggles I have to rely on Him and keep my eyes on Him daily because I know the devil knows just where to attack and I have to be ready. 

I’ve struggled on and off for a lot of years with depression and more recently anxiety.  Right now things are great but that wasn’t the case even just a few weeks ago.  Depression and anxiety are something that literally just seem to come out of nowhere for me.  Often times there are no triggers, and they don’t show up just when times are tough and hard. It’s a weakness that the devil knows just how to use, so I am in a constant battle.   I wish I could say that God has completely cured me but the truth is, he hasn’t.  And I’m ok with that.  I know he uses my struggles for his glory.  I know that in my tough and dark times I have someone more powerful than I could ever be fighting my battles.  I know I have someone holding up my head.  Psalm 3:3 says, “But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.”  If I didn’t have struggles, would I keep my focus on God or would it stray because life was so easy? 

The Bible makes it very clear that we are always in a battle.  He also speaks very plainly about the attacks of the devil.  In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”  We have an enemy that is looking for the weaknesses in our lives, our struggles, our temptations, our addictions.  BUT in John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance.”  We have a way to continue to have an abundant life in the midst of the messes life can bring!  It’s Jesus! 

​ First it is having a relationship with him.  Let him be King of Kings and Lord of Lord in your life!  Second, keep him as the top priority in all you do.  Keep your eyes focused on him, learn his word and talk with him ALWAYS, in the good times and bad.  Third, have people in your life who will encourage you and turn you back to Jesus when you get off track.  When the struggles of life get you overwhelmed, you need someone to help point you back in the right direction.  And remember, you are an overcomer!  The one who overcame sin and death is fighting for you and loves you!  He is your shield, your glory and the one who will always lift your head! 

Written By: Heather