An entry from my journal written on July 29, 2009 at 4:45 a.m.

“Tonight my husband and I were warring because the devil was coming against us. I was extremely fired up and went immediately into the shower. I was calling out to God and then was yelling (in a whispers since it was 4:30 a.m.), saying “the battle is not mine, it’s the LORD’s!”, “I trample on snakes and scorpions and nothing by any means shall hurt me or my husband!”, among other things about my authority and how the devil has come this far and no futher….anyway, it was really powerful. I got out and as I was drying off I took a few steps and felt this weird lump under my foot and realized that whatever it was had become stuck to my foot. My first reaction was simply “ooh man, what is thaaat,” like I was annoyed, and then I rubbed my foot on the carpet to get it off. I didn’t have my glasses on so I couldn’t see what it was, but I definitely didn’t think it was one of my LEAST favorite bugs. It was what I have referred to since childhood as  ”a 1,000-legger”….those nasty centipedes that look little something like this:

My interactions in the past with these bugs have been them chasing me in the bathroom or in the kitchen (we have been getting a ton of them plus huge carpenter ants in our apartment because of the massive amount of rain we have been getting lately (INVADERS!) I have always been extremely uneasy when they have been around. They seemed to run too fast to catch and then I have ended up calling Ryan to kill them for me. But tonight I TRAMPLED on him, and God spoke very plainly to me after I realized what I had squished (again, I couldn’t see it because I wasn’t wearing my glasses and I had to lean down to get a good look). At first I was like “EW!” and then I was like “COOOOL!!… and I’m not afraid!” It was really neat to see what I had just felt in the Spirit happen in the natural. I did a pretty good job on him too—tore off a bunch of legs and he was completely lifeless. So after I washed off any guts from my foot, , I started getting a little more revelation about what had just happened. Basically, God wanted me to know that I have great authority in the Spirit–my words are WEAPONS! I had known that previously, but it was cool to have Him show me in a very personal way.  It was really encouraging.

Since then, I have seen myself grow leaps and bounds in confidence and in my identity. I have realized that I am a mighty warrior, especially now that we have been in going to Bethel in Redding, CA. I have seen God do many miracles by my obedience, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I say all this to encourage people who are not sure who they are yet in Jesus Christ. Some of you may be going through a tough time with figuring out who you are and what your purpose is. You’ve got the devil on one hand being accusatory and condescending, asking “who the heck do you think you are?!” and God on the other in a fatherly, caring tone, “Who do you think you are?” If you entertain the thoughts of the devil, you will be stuck and feeling worthless because your focus is not on Jesus, the Hope of Glory.

As Kris Vallotton says, you will find that in the battles you face the Lord is doing a work in you and the devil doesn’t like it. Most likely the battles come when you have entered into new territory (healing the sick, art, whatever it may be). There had been demons there trying to keep you from your destiny and it’s a struggle to kick them out. It may be a stuggle for a while, but all the devil is trying to do is scare you from your pursuit of the promised land (your giftings, etc.). –See Kris’ message called “Spirit Wars”.

Remember, Ephesians 6:10 says, “¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,  against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

As Kris also says, the battleground is in your mind, but the battle is the manifested thoughts, or “fiery darts,” that the enemy brings. Speculation and reasoning is a spirit, so don’t talk or entertain it by letting it come and sit down at your kitchen table to have tea and crumpets. DO NOT let reasoning override the revelation and truth you know about God and His Goodness. DO NOT interact with the voices that tell lies to your emotions and that try to control you and make you anxious. A thought from a spirit is one that will compel you to do something for a split second that is totally not in your nature (flaming arrow). After, they accuse you of having those thoughts in the first place and you you end up feeling even worse–REJECT those feelings! When you are vulnerable and in battle you cannot trust your emotions (which makes up your soul). Your spirit, where God resides, is the only part of you that you are able to trust in these situations–so seek the truth of God!

Kris also says that in the season of wilderness and battle, when all of your strength is gone and you are weary, remember that God is your strength and understand how LOVED and PROTECTED you are…..because your Dad is bigger than the devil and He can do anything! God wants you to lean on Him through everything….so let Him take care of you!

Keep your eyes focused on God and His Word, for it is truly the only way to survive.