Halting the Assault

The first one drifted into my thoughts and I didn't notice. Then a few more slid in and I began to pay attention. Within a minute, I knew it was a full-on assault. 

The enemy is like that—sneaky, clever, and dangerous. Like a lion with ferocious claws, fang-like teeth, and stealth maneuvers.  He crouches low and moves slow. Before I'm aware, he's hauling zingers into my mind like a terrible hail storm. One. After. Another.

Numb and blind-sided, I try to counter the missile-like daggers with sound logic, but I'm still on the first thought and he's now at dagger five hundred. I know lies when I hear them, but still the emotions begin to engage—hurt, fear, anger, sadness. Wishing he had a mute button, I close my eyes and re-open them—hoping he'd be gone. But no, he's relentless.

He smells defeat and smiles. He cranks up the speed and moves from daggers to horrendous bomb-like deceit. Inflicting pain is his ultimate goal. Snarling, he moves in closer, preparing to devour and kill.

Then I squeaked out a whisper—one word. "JESUS".

The ceiling didn't open up and angels flood into the room. But I knew He was there with me. Peace started in my chest and spread to the battleground—my head. No more daggers or bombs. My emotions eased, my pulse slowed, and hope began to grow.

One second—crazy pandemonium—the next—quiet tranquility. The Word, the Truth, my Savior rescued me.

Now when I look at the once roaring lion, I see a defeated cat—fangless, clawless, and exposed. Long before he threw the first dagger into my head, he had lost the battle two thousand years ago. Because he knows Who I belong to, he tries harder to bring me down. No doubt his goal is to distract me with lies so that I will forget that I'm a child of the Living God.

Feeling bruised and humble, I extend praises and gratitude to the Prince of Peace. Once again, He saves me from darkness and the wanna-be-lion.  

John 8:12 NIV, "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

Next time, I hope to see the first dagger-lie and right away "put on the shield of faith to quench out the flaming darts of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16). But if I forget, I do know the one name above all names to halt the assault.

JESUS. And to Him be the glory, forever.

What about you? Have you ever felt attacked by the enemy? How did you overcome? Share your insight and join me on this journey called life. If you would like to receive my post by email, please subscribe under my picture on the right. Let's seek the Everblooming Life together.

Tammy Van Gils plants words and grows insightful stories blooming with hope. She is a thriving survivor of abuse, abandonment and adversity. How? By the Master Gardener's grace, the Vine's love, and the Advocate's renewal—emotionally and spiritually. She is sowing life with her husband of 35 years, a Yorkie Poo named Moose, and a dozen chickens. Her life harvest includes two sons and four grandsons. She enjoys gardening, quilting, and writing. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She's honored to be a guest blogger and also a contributor to The Wonders of Nature Devotion Book, Let the Earth Rejoice Devotions, So God Made a Dog, Worthy Inspired and Short and Sweet Too, Grace Publishing.