WARRIOR ARISING - 17

Tuesday, October 1, 2019


    "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.' It is a declaration of the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'" I've started with Isaiah 55:8-9 due to the fact that Warrior Arising was not at all what I thought it was when the Lord first spoke it to me; nor was the outcome what I expected.
     On Saturday, July 9, 2016 I had to do the hardest thing I think I've ever done. Jared's drinking had gotten much worse over the last couple of weeks. It was time for it to be addressed.  When asked if he wanted to move forward or backwards he said he wanted to move forward. So I stated a few things that were necessary for that to happen. He said he wasn't ready, at this time, to take the necessary steps to move forward. I then explained that he would have to leave because this is where you come when you want to get better and move forward.
     I went into the kitchen and just sobbed. I felt so defeated, hopeless, and sick to my stomach. As I was bent over the counter by the dishwasher crying I could feel the Holy Spirit rise up in me. I could sense something bigger than me behind me and I heard, "It's time for a Warrior to Arise!" I imagined one of those huge warring angels there with me. This enabled me to gain my composure and feel hopeful that it was all going to be OK. After all I'd been declaring, "Jared shall not die, but live, to proclaim the works of the Lord." Psalm 118:17. God sent a Warrior, so I just need to keep praying for Jared, be there when he needs me and it will all be good. Prior to my taking him to his dad's, I reassured him that I'm not giving up on him and when he wants help with this again I'll be there. 
     It was a little after 11pm on Sunday, July 31 when I got the call that Jared was dead. This is absolutely NOT what I was expecting to happen, especially since God told me it was time for the Warrior to Arise. How can this be - Warriors bring victory? You see, I had assumed that the Warrior was to help Jared with his addiction and to assist me in helping him. That he'd go back to rehab, get clean, and then help others like he wanted to. But... This is why I started with Isaiah 55:8-9.
      In retrospect, I realize that the Warrior Arising helped me not only that day in my kitchen, to do what needed to be done, but many times since. In fact, each Life Lesson is a testimony to the Warrior Arising. The first time I really sensed His Presence after Jared's death was related in 'Overcomer', when I chose to fight and not give up or give in to what life had thrown at me. I had to choose to fight to be what God said I was. While it wasn't what I thought that day in my kitchen, my Warrior has never left me. Each time I choose to trust in God and His Sovereignty I need the Warrior to Arise because it usually goes against my flesh. Many times being a Warrior is not what we think. It's not charging into the midst of the enemy's camp but simply being able to stand firm and strong in our faith - in obedience, when chaos and confusion surround us.
     Every born again believer has a Warrior within them. God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit - my Warriors! They are forever with each and every person who belongs to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. I believe in the days ahead we are all going to need to sharpen and refine our warfare tactics according to the Spirit. We are going to need to make it a priority to get closer to our Warrior in order to win the Battles that lie ahead. Our Warrior is able to reveal the plans and tactics of our enemy and is always willing to guide us to victory. However, if we don't choose to fight then we can't win. The Father already knows what your future holds and longs to prepare you, if you let Him. My Father knew what was going to happen on July 31, 2016 - my Warrior was ready and He had told me so.
     "Arise, shine, for your light has come! The Glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness covers the earth, and deep darkness the peoples. But the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will appear over you." Isaiah 60:1-2