Life on a Roller Coaster (Day 4, from Cleansing Thoughts)

    Only this time it was different. For one thing, I had changed churches and was beginning to grow in the Lord, and a few members my church family had shared with me that the Lord had impressed upon their heart to pray for me, and they had asked if I was alright, so I took a step of faith and once again asked for prayer. Within a few weeks, I pulled out of the depression and began to stabilize! I'm not saying ie was easy or that it will never happen again, but through it, I learned a valuable lesson: nothing can separate me from the love of God, and when we are too weak to stand alone, that's when He calls upon those of like faith to help support us. You see child of God, up until this point, I was standing in the way. I had allowed my pride to keep me from asking for prayer because I felt I had been rejected and misunderstood, so I determined within myself to stand alone in this battle.

    Remember in the book of Exodus when Moses sent Joshua into battle with the Amalekites. The word tells us: "Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand."So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hands, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hands, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and the other on the other; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun."  (Exodus 17:9-12, NKJV)I

     The Israelites won their battle that day as I had won mine, but it was not done standing alone. I want you to notice something; the rod of God Moses held in his hands stood for the presence of God with them. In verse 15, we are told that Moses built an altar there and called it The Lord Is My Banner. Moses's heart was willing but his hands grew weary; however, with the support of others, the battle was won. But did you see whose battle it really was? Read it again, only this time, look at it in its symbolism. We just saw where God's presence was in the rod above him. How look at the rock that was placed under him. In 1 Corinthians 10:4, Jesus is called the rock! I had never seen this before, but when the burden became too heavy for Moses to carry alone, Jesus prophetically was there. And He placed on either side of him, intercessors. Joshua's name means "Jehovah saves," and Hur's name means "free." However, Aaron was the founder of the priesthood; and guided the spiritual lives of the Israelites, Aaron was the one who offered the sacrifices and entered the Holy of Holies to seek the atonement for the people. Oh precious child of God do you see it? When we grow weary in the battle, we must remember that the battle is the Lords, not ours, and when we surrender it to Him, He calls on His intercessors to cry out on your behalf, "Jehovah God has saved you. Jesus as the High Priest is guiding your spiritual life and was the final sacrifice that has made atonement for you. Be free! Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

    There was an even greater outcome of the battle that was fought that day. Verse sixteen tells us that it was an ongoing victory from generation to generation. When I was diagnosed with manic-depressive disorder, the Lord impressed upon me to learn all I could about it. You see, all my life I fought this battle in the flesh, I didn't know what it was. But now I have a name, manic-depressive disorder. The Word of God tells us that Jesus is the name above all names, so I learned about my enemy, and when I did I took it to the cross of Jesus and laid it at his feet. This disorder is passed down in families from generation to generation. In my family alone, it has taken the life of my great grandfather and my biological father. I have seen the devastating effects it has had on my family, but because Jehovah saves, it will not claim the life of another member of my family. The last time I saw the doctor who diagnosed me, he said if I didn't take the medication he prescribed, in time, I would be institutionalized or commit suicide. This battle is not won in the flesh, but in the spirit for I will stand in the gap and make up the hedge until all are free. Of this one thing, I am certain: if God is fighting for us then NOTHING can stand against us!

    I don't know what kind of battle you are facing, but I do know you are not alone even though it may not seem like it at the time. God is working on your behalf, calling in His intercessors, and establishing you in Christ. He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV) I want to share a quick scripture with you. The apostle Peter tells us to "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith."  (1 Peter 5:8-9, NKJV)  The Amplified Bible says it this way: "Withstand him; be firm in faith [rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined]."  Even in my weakest state of the depressive cycle, His Holy Spirit within me cried out to the Lord, sustaining me, strengthening me. I do not deny that I have asked, even begged, the Lord to rid me of this battle and heal my mind, but just like Paul, I did not get the answer I wanted, but one I have learned to accept. Remember when Paul stated that had been given a "thorn in the flesh--a messenger of Satan to buffet me." (2 Corinthians 12:7, NKJV)  He goes on to say "Concerning this thing I pleaded three times that it might depart from me" ( verse 8)  I don't know how many nights His Spirit cried out within me, but I do know in the end I received the same word Paul did; "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (verse 9). I am an overcomer. The Spirit of God in me will not let me be otherwise, nor will He allow you. My prayer for you is this: "May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you forever and ever. In Jesus name, Amen"

    You are an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony! Now tear down your roller coaster by telling others.