I went through similar experiences with our son. He is adopted, and has many special needs (cerebral palsy, epilepsy and hydrocephalus…to name a few.)

I don’t really know how to explain what we went through, because I sound a little like a bad fiction writer when I try to explain it.

Suffice it to say that I have walked through my house on more than one occasion reminding the enemy that we were God’s children, we lived in God’s home, it was covered by the blood of Jesus and there was NO ROOM for him to be there and that he needed to go back to h*ll where he came from and where he belonged.

Then I would sing every hymn that I could think of that mentioned the blood of Jesus and I quoted Scripture after Scripture over my son.

My husband has told me that he has done the same on several occasions, too.

The enemy is real. He is powerful, and he wants to destroy us. BUT as we stay in God’s Word, remember WHO we belong to, and throw all our dependence on Christ, we are SAFE from his onslaughts.

Thanks again for sharing,
Alesha

Thank you, Alesha for sharing your story. I’ve appreciated the comments and emails I’ve received about this.

I’m going through something now and your words are very much needed. Thank you.

God has allowed you and Lee to go through these things because He’s going to use you mightily. You have learned great things through your heartbreaks, things that cannot be learned otherwise. You will comfort others through your testimony as the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 1:4.

Thank you for being vulnerable and so very honest. You are touching so many people that you may not know until you are in Heaven.

Thank you, Janet. You have encouraged me. I’m thankful that God can use my meager writings to encourage you.

I clearly remember this period of trial and your asking for prayer over it – which I gave gladly, but wasn’t sure what all was going on. I also think sometimes people “give the enemy too much credit” (for example, blaming him if they can’t find a parking space in front of the church – yes; I’ve heard that); but you are right. Spiritual warfare of this type is real, and he goes after our emotions. Causes us to doubt. It’s happened to me before too, (although not to that extent and not with physical manifestations), and I’ve been told that just praising God spontaneously and thanking Him for anything you can think of can cause that pointless depression to dissipate.

Calling on Jesus in our doubts, pain, fear…it’s so key. And yet, so easy to forget. The only reason Satan is going after you and Lee is because you are clearly a threat to him. You are both staying in the race – two years after the fact, you are still showing daily what good and faithful servants you are – and the attacks are not likely to end anytime soon. (Probably he’ll take a different angle next time – wherever you’re weak.)

Thanks for sharing this – it’s a good reminder (to me, anyway) or how real the schemes of the enemy are. (I’ll have to go back and read the Blueletter Bible link – they have some good commentaries.)

I am going to email you something. Wow.

Rosheeda

As a teenager, I went through a depression that I did not tell anyone about. My only defense was to pray to God–and when I woke up every morning, with this horrible, self-loathing feeling in my chest, I started my prayer with the words, “In the name of Jesus Christ”. It ALWAYS worked. The feeling disappeared and I could start my day. This depression lingered for at least a month and one day I woke up feeling at peace.

Since then, I have always used Jesus’ name to pray and teach my children to pray in this way, especially when feeling fearful or depressed–it IS amazing, the power of his name!

Kat

I love what you said that we just call on Jesus and He does the rest. Amen! What a blessing, and what a reason not to fear the enemy. Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.

This is an area of Christianity I’d heard little talked about for many many years. And yet I believe so many Christians are majorly hindered in their walk, their lives, their spiritual health for lack of knowledge! God put me through some intensive and repetitive training in my own life in regards to this issue a year or so ago and it made all the difference in the world for me, and I’d like to shout it from the rooftops and share it with the world but people think you’re stark raving mad and reject the entire message, so I have to tone it down and share it more subtly, I guess.

I did want to recommend a couple of excellent resources for anyone wanting to learn more, though.

1) Beth Moore’s Breaking Free study for women available through Lifeway at http://www.lifeway.com

2) Neil Anderson’s materials available through Freedom in Christ Ministries at http://www.ficm.org , particularly The Bondage Breaker.

Both books/studies are also available through Amazon.