If you're not a spiritual person...

...best not read this post.

This is a post about my latest spiritual battle, and while I am not into preaching at people, this latest revelation is something I have to share.

I think I've posted on here about how bad things have been going lately. lol - that's uplifting, isn't it? But, it's true. Things have been terrible. To recap:

• Ethan had croupe, which nearly landed us in the ER in the middle of the night. He was barking his cough was so bad and he couldn't breathe. (Thank god for antibiotics!)
• Our basement flooded. (I don't want to rehash it. It was just ugly.)
• We are knee-deep in rehearsals for the Easter service, which is absolutely awesome, but seriously stressful at the same time
• Adam is still writing curriculum for Wednesday nights (I cannot begin to explain how time consuming and awesome this is at the same time. It's just amazing what he's doing...)
• Adam gets involved in Christian Youth Theatre (Wizard of Oz, he's intern directing to help get a foot in the door so in the future we can do some directing. It's AWESOME as well, but again, time consuming!)
• Easter Egg hunt cancelled due to snow. (This actually is a positive at this point - what a load off! Kids will get bags of candy Easter morning instead. I've never been so happy for snow!)
• Ethan and Sam are both up in the middle of the night crying. Ethan complains of an ear infection. Further inspection (by our doctor) and we discover a 'nasty and very painful' ear infection and a blister on his ear drum that we can expect to burst. More antibiotics.
• Adam cannot swallow. Another doctor. Strep throat. More antibiotics.
• Courtney is in excrutiating (how do you spell that?) pain - headaches. Or rather, one headache that has lasted nine days. Go to chiropractor for adjustment which loosens my shoulders and neck but doesn't help the head. The next day, head to dentist to see about a mouth guard because of my TMJ and grinding teeth.
• Get teeth cleaned (why does this hurt so bad?) and get impressions made of my upper and lower teeth. (Okay, seriously - ew. It was so gross.)
• Can't get mouth guard for another week. (I want to cry at this point.) Instead, I go to Wal-mart and get one of those sports mouth guards you boil. I should seriously take a picture with it in my mouth. It's hysterical. I look like a monkey.
• Sam gets sick.
• Sophia gets sick.
• Ethan is acting up horribly - seriously issues with his behavior leave me feeling like a new mom all over again, wondering how in the world to handle this?

This is about Thursday of last week... and it finally dawns on me. I went to our Easter rehearsals both Tues. and Thurs. and it was the only time in over a week I didn't have a headache - when I was in those rehearsals... it's so clear. And I should've seen it before, but this whole mess was all just one big fat attack of the Enemy on our family.

See, I hate to be one of those people who gives the devil credit for every little thing that goes wrong in our lives. Very often, it's my own stupidity or whatever that leads to the messes... but all of this... this big long, bulleted list of horrible awful things that were happening all at once... No way. This was not coincidence.

When we first started in the minstry, we had a similar week and one of the other pastors at the church said, "Well, you're in ministry now, you've got a target on your back." It's so true. Others have said, "If the devil's leaving you alone, you're not doing enough."

I guess I was looking at the Easter service as work. In terms of a checklist. "Gotta get this, this and this done by such and such a time..." You know... multi-tasking every little detail to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks.... but I forgot to look at it for what it was - a chance for God to move. I had underestimated what God wanted to do in that evening.

Once I realized it, I started to really pray like crazy - to get the devil off of our back. I mean, he doesn't have the RIGHT to torment us, he can only do it if we let him. I sent out an email to several of our parents and asked them to pray for us. We were at the end of our rope and we needed help climbing back up.

Well, it was almost like I felt them lifting us up. The next day, we all started to see improvements. My headache dwindled (and it wasn't due to the monkey mask, which honestly hurt more on my teeth than my head originally hurt.) and eventually it went away. Adam's strep started to improve, Ethan started to get back to normal...

And then Sunday night.

The kids were absolutely amazing. It was sort of a service infused with theatrical elements - dance/choir/human video - lots of music. Adam preached a short (awesome) message. It went off without a hitch. People came forward for prayer. People got to see how amazing their kids were. People were ministered to and blessed and you know, we may never know the extent of how deep that night reached - we may never hear the stories of how God began to work on someone as a result of that night, and that's okay. I trust that God will take our hard work and bless it.

I guess my point is this. Sometimes you have to walk through the fire to see the blessing. You dont' have to sit in the fire. I mean, when I realized what was going on, I got rid of that mess right away. Doesn't mean the devil will automatically stop trying to mess with us, but it does mean that I'm aware of it now. It all sounds so 'out there' - the devil and all... but I believe there's a very real enemy who would love to take us out. The thing is, we have to stand up for ourselves and tell him where to go. He doesn't have the RIGHT to attack us. And he certainly didn't stop us. For all our suffering, we came through it and God was glorified in spite of him.

Be aware of the fire, but don't let it consume you. Find out how to put it out.

and now things can go back to normal!

Comments

[Jana]

Stay strong, girl! We're in the same boat as you... {My daughter did the ER croup run (as well as ear, sinus infection and brochitis) and the next day, my hubby did the same run (sinus infection & brochitis). We cancelled the Easter Hunt (rescheduled for tonight) for snow...} and I know that the reason it all seems so hard is because the Devil is just not too happy with me right now! Please go read Romans 5:34... I just repeat it to myself every day when I'm starting to lose it and I feel stronger. I agree with you. I say don't just stand outside the fire, get in it and STOMP IT OUT! Live Life fully... for Christ! Keep the positive spirit up and know that every day, you inspire others to do more and be more!

[Heather]

Awesome, Court! God is so good to show us that each trial is a lesson and a way to grow our faith. I'm experiencing an attack as well. I just started writing the curriculum for our children's Sunday School program and it's just one thing after another going wrong! I have to remind myself to put on the full armor of God everyday. Sometimes something has to go wrong each day for me to remember to put it on! Sounds like everything went wonderfully for Easter! Isn't it so great that people can intercede on our behalf in prayer? That is so amazing to me! Sending hugs! Heather

[Chantel]

What an awesome post Courtney!! I love your religious posts, I haven't been to church in years cause I just don't know where I fit in... Long story. Just want to say I love how inspiring you and your family are, YOU are my little piece of god in my day... Thanks again for sharing, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[Cyndi Hoehn]

2 Chronicles 20:17 "You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you."

I read this verse earlier today and after checkin' in to see how stuff was with you I thought I would share it. We all have battles and need to rely on Him more to help fight off the evil in our lives!

Thinking of you and sending hugs- big ones =)

[Shaun]

Amen Courtney, Amen!

[Wendy Antenucci]

I have a list of spiritual warfare verses written down for just such a time. It is very true what you wrote that if Satan isn't bothering you then you aren't causing him any concern, somehow that doesn't help me feel better though! :) Just remember that one day each one of us will stand infront of our saviour and I plan on hearing Him say, well done good and faithful servant! Keep going! http://www.faithsisters.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/5517/ppuser/300

[Sarah]

Thanks for sharing and encouraging, Courtney! What an awesome reminder to us. I will be praying for your family too.

[Susan Beth Breuner]

Spiritual warfare! It is so difficult. But denying it doesn't help, so its great that you have faced it right on. Sometimes hearing about other people (like your family) facing spiritual warfare is great because it reminds me of Ephesians 6:18 (And pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and request. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints). You are a family of saints, so you should always be covered with prayer if the rest of us are doing our jobs!

[Lisa J]

I am so glad you realized that the target was fixated on you and you used that to turn things to your favor. Or should I say the favor of the kingdom!!!