Are you in a season of assault?
I wonder if you are feeling under attack… either spiritually or emotionally… and are weary in the fight. You’ve been in battle for a while now and you’re ready to be done with it.
You’re exhausted.
God gave me a visual seconds before I was to get up and talk at a woman’s retreat last spring. This is mind-blowing, yet so elementary at the same time.
There was a cross on the podium where I was about to place my notes and Bible… and I heard God tell me (not audibly, mind you) that the safest place for us to be is behind the cross.
When we are feeling weary and bruised and overwhelmed, it’s because we’ve strayed from its protection. The Bible tells us we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us, so why don’t we take Him up on that offer?
In those times of trouble, it’s your privilege to stand behind the cross.
Allow Jesus to shield you from the flaming arrows. While they have the ability to take us out of the game… they cannot wound Him! His death on the cross offers us protection.
But brothers and sisters, the moment we step out from His divine protection (do it our way) those arrows pierce us… wounding us deeply. And unless we remove those arrows quickly, the infections of anger and bitterness and unforgiveness will fester and grow until they threaten to overtake us.
What does it look like to stand behind the cross?
- Your identity is not defined by what others think of you
- You don’t feel the need to defend yourself
- You are quick to forgive offenses
- You are not drained and fatigued from battle
- You have an eternal perspective
Profound work was done on that cross… and because of it we’re covered by His blood. Thanks to Christ’s selfish act, we have the ability to find protection from all that life throws at us.
So, when you find yourself worn down and disillusioned, check your position with regard to the cross. Are you behind it, allowing Christ to effortlessly extinguish those flaming arrows? Or are you standing next to the cross, allowing those arrows to wound.
Protect yourself from the enemy, because his bow is aimed in your exact direction. Stand… behind… the… cross.
Yes, I have been under such spiritual attacks this year…. It seems uncanny. But most likely it is because I am not only endeavoring to keep myself behind the cross, it is also because I stepped into some leadership positions this year in our women ministries at our church. My husband also is in a leadership position, he is on the school board for our kids charter school. Both of us have had quite a year and they attacks keep coming. I was on vacation last week with my family and had one night where I was literally tormented with dream after dream of my children dieing. And just yesterday my son awoke and told me he had a dream about my daughter dieing. What I have noticed is that when I am truly in the Word of God and in prayer these attacks are held at bay. The day I relent to the pressures of time and don’t commit that to God, I will experience another attack.
Another key I am learning about right now is Fasting. I have begun this discipline in my life and am amazed at the results for me. But am also anxiously awaiting the results from my prayers that I have committed to for others in my life. You can read more about this experience on my blog at http://www.MeakinsSpeak.wordpress.com. I reference a book I am studying about fasting.
Thanks Carrie for your words each day. Everyday it helps me to keep standing Behind The Cross!!
It is amazing how the Lord is using you to speak directly to me..even though I only been to your blog the pass 2 days it has been a true blessings and most of all set me back on the right track…thanks 🙂
Ooppss.. I found a BIG typo!
My sentence read… “Thanks to Christ’s selfish act, we have the ability to find protection from all that life throws at us.”
But should read… “Thanks to Christ’s SELFLESS act, we have the ability to find protection from all that life throws at us.”
Thanks for pointing that out, Laura!