Finding God’s Presence in Spiritual Battles

Do we ever ask God if He hears our pleas for help? Have we asked Him if He still sees us? Have you forgotten about me? As we cry out, ‘God, look at my heart.’ Can you see the tears rolling down my cheeks? We often feel this way, for it is a shared human experience, a testament to the depth of our faith and the intensity of our struggles. Our hearts begin to feel hollow inside, yearning for God’s comforting, enveloping presence, and we wonder where He is when we cannot feel Him.

I admit I have asked these same questions many times. Sometimes, we question God when we go through a battle that seems to have no end. But I have to remind myself of the power of God’s promises, particularly the one in Deuteronomy 31:6, where He assures us that He will never leave or forsake us. This verse is a beacon of hope, reminding me that God is with me no matter what I am going through. He reminds me not to be discouraged and that He is always with me, even when I do not hear Him in the middle of my battle.

I bring back to my memory the verse from Isaiah 41:10 that says, Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed for I am God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (ESV).

During times of intense struggle, when we feel distant from God or can’t hear His voice, it is important to recognize that we are under a spiritual attack. This is when the enemy, Satan, tries to exploit our feelings of doubt and fear, making us question God’s love. But by acknowledging these attacks, we can empower ourselves to combat them. We can remind ourselves of the truth about God and the promises He’s made to always be by our side.

One of the enemy’s most effective strategies is to wage war within our minds. By planting seeds of doubt and fear, he attempts to distract us from our faith and the comfort we can find in God’s presence. It is crucial to remember that even when we cannot feel Him, God is still present, steadfast, and ready to support us. Embracing the truth can help fortify our spirits against the challenges we face.

When we find ourselves under spiritual attack, it is important to step back and examine where these thoughts are coming from. We need to clear the clutter from our minds and remind Satan of God’s promises. These promises, such as “I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5) and ‘I am with you always, to the end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20), assure us of God’s constant presence and love. We mustn’t allow ourselves to be led down the path the enemy wants us to take. Instead, we can combat these attacks by filling our minds with God’s truth, praying for his guidance, and seeking support in our faith community.

Recognizing that we are in a spiritual battle is pivotal; the sooner we acknowledge this reality, the sooner we can effectively wield our spiritual weapons. These weapons, which include faith, prayer, and the teachings of the Scripture, empower us to confront the challenges the enemy sends us. For instance, faith can be strengthened through regular prayer and reading of God’s word, and prayer is a direct line of communication with God, seeking His guidance and protection.

As we face these struggles, we can expect that they may intensify the closer we get to God; however, this is an opportunity for growth and fortification. When the enemy attempts to invade our lives, whether through doubt, fear, or temptation, we must firmly remind ourselves that we will not allow him to breach our defenses.

To ensure our protection, we should actively build our wall of defense with the strength of God’s word and the power of prayer. Engaging with the scripture daily and maintaining an open communication line with God helps reinforce our resolve.

Guarding our hearts and minds is essential as the enemy seeks to break through these barriers. By staying vigilant and rooted in our faith, we can ensure that our inner sanctuaries remain secure against any assaults that may come our way.