I have been inspired, fired up, moved to tears, and face-to-the-ground humbled by you, the incredible women of faith God has put in my path. Some of your stories I know only through social media or chance encounters, while others of you are long-time friends that I’ve had the privilege of sharing life with. All of you, though, are waging war in heavenly places for your God-given promise. To say you’ve encouraged me to press on in my own battle is an understatement. Your tenacity, faith, and utter dependence on God have been the wind that has kept my waffling boat on top of the waves.

You see, I have this little problem. Many of you already know. It’s called control. I love(hate) to analyze, figure out, ponder, and play out every possible scenario in my mind. But somehow above all the inner noise, I found a moment of clarity. Actually, the moment was given. And I want to share it with you as encouragement in your fight.

It was 11 pm and I was completely exhausted. My anxious heart wanted to pray but my body needed to sleep. So I set my alarm for 2:30 am. Now before you go thinking this was so spiritual, keep reading. Just before I drifted off, I ran across this quote:

“Overachievers, planners, and anxious hearts: He doesn’t need us to wring our hands or to keep watch; He’s got the whole world in HIS hands. ‘Sleep is a daily reminder from God that we are not Him.’ (Piper)” -Ruth Simons

Sometimes even our spiritual disciplines are a disguise for a lack of faith.

So shutting off the alarm, I turned over and slept. That night I dreamed I was wrestling evil. The more I fought, striving to defeat it, the bigger and stronger it became. Soon I was completely outmatched. Knowing I had no other option, I planted my feet firmly, stood tall, and began to speak the truth: “You are defeated. Jesus is Lord. God is stronger.” As I stood confidently in the strength of the Lord, the enemy shrank before my eyes until he was completely incapacitated. I woke up with a whole new understanding of spiritual warfare. It’s really not about my trying and striving at all. It’s about rest. About confident trust in His power, His armor.

So here’s to all my fellow sister warriors- we will battle together with the assurance that every word from the Lord proves true. We will pray in faith with a thankful heart because the enemy is already defeated. Because we know that no weapon formed against us will prosper, and every fiery dart that is launched our way will be extinguished. Not with our own strength, but simply by standing firm in His. He will build His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

We will war as if we are already victors. Confidently. Trusting. In rest. Because, courageous sister warriors, we are victors. Our redemption is at hand. Standing firm, we will see the deliverance the Lord will bring. The enemy we fight today will be defeated. The battle belongs to the Lord!

“For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’” (Isaiah 30:15a, ESV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10, ESV)

“Cease striving and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10, NASB)

“And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.” (Exodus 14:13, ESV)

 ”And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15, ESV)