My unofficial hiatus might be construed as me giving up. And truth be told, I considered it. Not so much as “giving up” but more like “moving on” to a new season. Back in 2019, as I was finishing my study of Edward’s resolutions, I was mired in a personal crisis, feeling as though I had thought too small and didn’t aspire to bigger, bolder ambitions. I pursued some interests, published a new book, and (like the rest of the world) did the best I could to navigate my family through a global pandemic.
Also during that time, I focused on building a strong mindset, gaining personal wellness, shifting to a new focus in my career, and living a more fulfilling life. It took me outside my comfort zone. And I gained a new understanding of myself. I also developed a stronger habit of devotional and prayer time with God.
So yeah… lots going on. And little time for blogging or writing. Especially when the universe had clearly decided it hates me.
Does the Universe Hate Me?
When we feel like giving up, it’s usually because so much is going against us, that it seems the universe hates us. Of course, I don’t believe that. For starters, the universe is nothing more than a creation of God. It’s not something that can act or conspire against anyone. That doesn’t mean forces are not working against us.
And let’s make no mistake about it. As we’ve already said, it’s not the universe. And I promise you that God is not working against you. That really leaves just one plausible explanation: Spiritual warfare.
Here’s the thing about spiritual warfare; it’s very real, and it’s incredibly stealth as it works to detail you from the divine path in which God is leading you. Many times I have sought to end my “hiatus” only to be blocked by something unexpected; lack of inspiration, overwhelming work stress, household work, illness, the emergence of new family needs, personal despair… you get the point. The universe seemed out to get me.
It was NOT the universe.
In light of this reflection, I am sharing an abridged version (with some slight addendums) of a post I did while studying Edwards’ 18th resolution (read the original post RE: Edward’s 18th resolution here).
I like to live in my little bubble where God protects his sheep from the workings of the wolf-like Devil. However, that doesn’t discount the fact that the Devil gets to use earth as a playground for distraction, deception, distortion, and destruction (as well as a host of other “deadly d’s”).
Spiritual Warfare is Real
Spiritual warfare is a very real thing. As it enters, it seeks to consume us, inhibiting our ability to stand firm in faith while living in a world that wants to pronounce us guilty. Edwards’ resolved, “to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.” I interpret that to say; “to live consistent in the way I should when I’m thinking spiritually and/or contemplating eternal truths.”
The dearth of things vying for our attention makes it easy to grow complacent. So easy to fall into the trappings of pleasure and personal reward. Before we know it, we’re undisciplined in our ways. And we’re completely ignorant of priorities and the work we’re called to do.
Make no mistake about it, we are at war, battling against worldly pleasures, which Scripture often refers to as ways of the flesh. But don’t allow the Devil to deceive you or distort you into being asleep. In fact, Scripture also tells us to be on guard against this sort of warfare.
Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. – Ephesians 6:16-18 MSG
Discipleship is Essential
The best way to glorify God – to fulfill our Heavenly mandate – is to know and walk with God. While living as aliens in a culture that has largely departed from God, we witness our societal deterioration. Our culture deliberately distances itself from God. Much of it is the work of spiritual foes who seek to see us follow suit.
We must not fall into a misguided thought that this is okay. Instead, to counter these forces, we gotta be intentional in connecting with God. About knowing Him. For understanding His ways. In short, it means doing these things and having the discipline to stand out among a nation mired in darkness but desperately needing to see God’s light.
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. – James 4:8-10 MSG
Instead of Giving up, Stand Firm in Faith
I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory – 1 Peter 6-7 MSG
More than once, I had planned to resume blogging on a more frequent basis. Every time, something stopped me. Even as I type this, having completely redone this site and after consolidating several other domains into this one domain so I could better align the work I am called to do, I got hit with a massive distraction.
Seriously, a distraction so grand, I thought about giving up. As I prayed, questioning if I was supposed to give up so I could shift focus (again), I came to realize that spiritual forces are counting on me to throw in the towel. They are at work, trying to derail this work. Chad 1.0 (and really Chad 2.0) would have such high anxiety, fears, and obsessiveness over this sort of thing, that he would be unable to focus on anything else.
Here’s the deal, though: DO NOT BE A SLAVE TO FEAR.
Don’t be a Slave to Fear
Fear, anxiety, paranoia, and the like may be the biggest scourges on humanity. They are rooted in both ego and survival instincts. These instruments of darkened spiritual warmongers result in irrational thinking, toxic habits, destroys relationships, and so much evil. Sometimes, it’s on a massive scale. Other times, it’s covert and sly. Either way, it’s tragic.
There was never a promise made that following Jesus would be easy. In fact, we’re promised that it will not always be an easy road traveled. But those that run the race the win – a win that is promised – shall gain the reward of eternal life in Heaven.
Meanwhile, here in the land “under the sun,” the Devil is ever prowling like a lion. Mind you, not a friendly mascot-like lion – though he’d have you believe it. No, the Devil is like a vicious, supernatural lion seeking to tear us apart.
But he’s much more devious and maniacal. He’s downright methodical when it comes to spiritual warfare.
He starts in the heart – and that’s precisely why we must give ours over to the Lord.
Recommended Resource:
If you are interested in growing in your understanding of this topic and how to stand firm in faith even while under spiritual attack, I highly suggest you give Jennie Allen’s, Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts a read. It helped me recognize and understand the attacks that persist and the choice I have for overcoming them instead of giving up.