Surrounded…

The day was Wednesday, September 5, 2018. I was sitting in my pastors’ office and I was reading through my initial sermon while saying a series of prayers to my God. As I sat there, sincerely trying to convince the Lord that He had chosen the wrong person, I heard this song streaming from my executive pastor’s laptop:

Surrounded, by Michael W. Smith
The word says
“For the spirit of heaviness
Put on the garment of praise”
That’s how we fight our battles

This is how I fight my battles
This is how I fight my battles
This is how I fight my battles
This is how I fight my battles

It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You
It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You
It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You
It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You

At the time I didn’t know who sang that song or any more information about it, but I knew it was for me. The lyrics, simple and repetitive, spoke to me and literally proclaimed the events of my life and how I was able to make it through, despite multiple attempts to quit and throw in the towel.

How many times I wanted to quit and even attempted to end it all… but God had me surrounded, fighting every battle for me.

Today, I confront every issue or temptation with the strength of my heavenly Father.
I know that on my own I am not strong enough, so I give it all over to Him.
That is how I fight my battles.

Tonight is the last night for the Winter Session of Women’s Bible Study at my church. We spent this session studying from a Beth Moore devotional book and heavily meditating on Isaiah 61. (For your growth and support, I recommend that you read that chapter of the bible. Isaiah was an amazing prophet of God and so much spiritual wealth and knowledge dwell within the 66 chapters of that book.) As the class ends, my heart reflects on all that has happened since September….

Personal revelations
Laughter with sisters in Christ
The loss of a beloved sister
Spiritual growth
And probably more that I am missing….

As I sit and reflect, this is still the only song that comes to my mind- and this is how I fight my battles. I lay aside my hurt and pain and consciously decide to praise my God instead. No matter what my eyes see or my mind comprehends, my heart recalls Isaiah 61 and I walk in the truth that God has called me to do… which is more than my mere human mind could ever truly understand.

Beloved, I do not know what you are going through specifically, but I do know a Man who is able to surround you and envelope you in His strength. He is calling you (yes, you!) to replace your spirit of heaviness with His garment of praise.

This Monday Message is intentionally short so that you can spend time in Isaiah 61. Read its words (NIV and NKJV are good versions to read) and let God speak to you. Don’t fight your battles with fists, anger/attitude, or revenge… stand on the promises of God, look to the hills (that’s where your Help comes from), and put on the garment of praise. It may look like you’re surrounded, but you are surrounded by Him.

Be blessed.