A great lesson we have learned over the years is to recognize the perils of tunnel vision and the fixation one can get when you are in the midst of a battle. When the throngs of assaults seem relentless and it feels as though the war is unending, being cognizant of your demeanor can sometimes be a challenge. Surrounding yourself with faithful friends, or having a spouse who is strong in the Lord is a tremendous defense. We have been blessed to be that for each other. Strength joined to strength.

It starts out very innocent – anger, frustration, and disappointment are easily displaced with the faith one has that things can change. If time progresses and there is no apparent evidence of any shift in momentum, it becomes more of a challenge to overcome those natural tendencies from finding residence in our minds. When it is an all-out, prolonged war, the obstacles to faith resoundingly seem to play over and over in our head and the opportunities for grumbling and complaining seem to find an open and awaiting audience with co-workers and acquaintances.

It’s time to take a step back. Not to concede ground to the enemy, but to assess where we are spiritually and mentally. If we find that we are set off by even the smallest of interruptions, it may be a sign that we have lost our focus and need to put our faith and trust back on to our Heavenly Father. His greatest gift to us is His Holy Spirit. Praying in the Spirit during these times has been a tower of refuge to us. Being able to recognize the signs and in turn speaking words of life to one another has enabled us to walk out some of the most intense battles. In the end, we have always come out victorious.

There have been those rare occasions where things have categorically gone in the opposing direction of our desires and beliefs. We have had to buck ourselves up and stand firm – trusting the Father – in due time just recompense will be visited back upon us. Yahweh is Faithful. Stand and endure!

“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.” John 3:27