Take Me off the Grill, I'm Done!

Good Monday morning, Everyone! And Happy Labor Day!

I thought about titling this post, “Stick a Fork in me, I’m Done”,

but everyone already uses that expression to say they’re done, finished, tired, exhausted…done with life.

This is exactly how I’m feeling at this writing. Done. Exhausted. Burned slap out. Almost physically ill.

This comes only days after experiencing God’s mighty hand in several areas of my life. He has dealt with me on a few issues that have enslaved me far too long and has set me free.

I’ve experienced a fresh touch, a powerful surge of forwardness that I haven’t experienced in a very long time.

A lot of it is a result of a Bible study I’m in with some ladies, titled, “Armor of God” by Priscilla Shirer.

Phenomenal!!! Powerful!!! Eye-opening.

Studying and putting into action what I’m learning about the Armor of God has changed how I pray, how I see the physical world and spiritual world. I’ve been so full of excitement over what God is doing that there are moments I’m sure I’ll simply pop!

Soaring above mountain peaks with a clear panoramic view.

Enjoying fearlessness and boldness in a fresh way. A calm resolve has been my companion for weeks as I’ve boldly and fervently approached God’s throne of grace in prayer.

So why the glum and downcast soul? I’d like to know when my soaring like an eagle suddenly nose-dived into a pool of weepiness and exhaustion.

You’ve experienced this too, right? How can we go from soaring on the heights with God, and then plummet to the depths of the earth?

As I write this, I had to pause to text a friend who asked for prayer because she’s overwhelmed and can’t get a break to think clearly.

After sending my text, there are two explanations that stick out about what’s going on.

• I’m 100% certain the devil hates us all the more when we step out in faith, threatening to tear down his strategic schemes in our lives and others’ lives.

He hates how I’m praying for my estranged son with fight and renewed vigor. He hates how I’m praying for my daughter whose carrying my little granddaughter due to be born in November, but not without some complications and a scary diagnosis.

While planning with other women a prayer ministry, and praying for our country, schools, churches and all leaders, I’m sure my enemy, the devil, is furious and panicked.

I’m aware that he’s sure to be scheming and planning strategies against me. Maybe trying to get a little craftier with his attacks.

• The second thing is, even an eagle has to come down from soaring to rest. Eagles have nests. They have to eat, sleep and replenish.

Whether we’re walking in unhindered fellowship with God or are distant from Him, we all crave rest, peace and want to be free from anxiety.

We need a break, don’t we? We need Someone to lift the burden a little.

While I’ve been enjoying these new strengths and revelations, at some point, I began soaring in my own strength without coming down for a rest and refueling.

Are you trying to do it all in your own strength, meet mounting expectations with no end in sight, even while in close fellowship with God?

Or are you distant from God and relying on your own strength to fulfill every demand and expectation?

If you’re experiencing burnout and exhaustion on any level, will you join me right now, and take a few minutes to focus on the following promises?

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and 

learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is 

easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30.

Jesus is the One speaking here, to you and me. Come, He said…and I will give you rest. Give Him your burdens and as He promised, you will find rest…

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

Almighty God, your Heavenly Father, says, Call to Me. And He will answer!

Not only will He answer, but He will speak to you things you don’t know now, and wants to tell you.

And here’s my favorite…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your 

requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends 

all understanding, will guard your hearts and your 

minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

This is how we stay on course and win!

Terri

Fear, Dread, Despair

Which is most prevalent with you?

Fear?

Dread?

Or is it Despair?

For me, it was all three braided together and secured with a tight knot.

Fear of my future as I’m aging. Worrying about losing my husband prematurely. Fear of financial woes. Fear of harm to my grown children, grandchildren and other loved ones. Fear of failure, declining health, traveling, flying.

My fears spanned out to cover current world events, prevalent evil and our country’s blatant rejection of God and the Lord Jesus.

My fears led to dread. I dreaded everything. I became apathetic in all my involvements. Exhausted. Burned out. Weeks and months whizzing by at a rate of speed faster than I’ve ever known. 

I dreaded the Fall season because that meant Winter is coming.

Then despair set in. Despair that my life is running out of time, our country is falling apart and I’m getting older and there’s nothing I can do about any of it.

Or so I thought.

That’s what the devil wanted me to think. It’s what he wants you to think. He wants us to be consumed, distracted and powerless.

Beaten down, flat on our back with the tyranny of fear, dread and despair standing over us.

Can you relate at all?

Add to that the condemnation from the devil that comes with being a Christian while still struggling with these things. 

Focusing on and dwelling there, are all outside God’s plans and purposes; again, All, outside God’s plans and purposes.

If satan can keep us beat down and rendered ineffective as salt and light in these dark, evil days, he’s succeeded.

Do you want the enemy to succeed? I don’t!! I don’t want him to have the satisfaction. He’s wrecked enough havoc on me, my family, and all the things that are important to me.

Enough, I say!

Because here’s the truth: Our enemy is the one who is scared. He is the one with a dreaded future that WILL end in despair and defeat!

As believers in Jesus Christ, I pray that our only fear is the reverent fear and worship of Almighty God, Who has given us an endless abundance of grace and peace. AND an amazing future with Him forever!

Grace and peace to you from God our Father 

and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have been given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms that we need.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with 

every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

As believers in Jesus Christ, we stand holy and blameless in our Father’s eyes.

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the 

world to be holy and blameless in His sight. Ephesians 1:4

We are NOT seated in this world in a place of fear, dread and despair. It’s not possible because as a believer in Jesus Christ our position is this:

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him 

in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6

The braid of fear, dread and despair, spun and intertwined by the devil, is unraveling for me.

The devil shudders at the thought of Christians gaining a godly perspective. He works tirelessly to keep us blinded to the truth. 

Why?

He is afraid…he is despairing of and dreading his future.

If we, as believers in Jesus Christ, open our eyes and see the truth and reality of our position in Him, we also will receive and open all the gifts given to us from God, Who, by the way, is still in control.

We can resist and cast off the devil’s temptations to give in to these plots and schemes of his. We can stand strong and firm in His mighty power, as we put on the full armor of God, which is already ours from Him, so that we can take our stand against the devil’s attacks. You just got to PUT IT ON. 

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, 
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the 
powers of this dark world and against the spiritual 
forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12

I think we can all agree that we are under attack. You. Me. Our families. The Church in America and worldwide. Our country.

If we take our positions, equipped with God’s armor, eyes open, watching and ready, praying strategically against our enemy, we will never have time for fear, dread or despair.

Will you join me today in taking our place with God, in Christ Jesus, where we’ve been given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms where the real fight is?

Pray with me.

Staying the course,

Terri