“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  2 Corinthians 10:3-6

My Bible literally falls open to the page containing this life preserver that I have clung to more sleepless nights than I can count.  The weapons we fight with…have divine power to demolish strongholds.  As women and leaders, we can become desperate for weapons effective in tearing down the strongholds the culture would inflict upon our churches, families, and those we minister to in the outside world: attacks against faith, relationships, even our very peace.  With wave after wave crashing down on us, we must have a weapon, a life preserver, to take hold of to help us weather the onslaught of the enemy.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.” Aren’t we thankful that we have been given a weapon to demolish arguments and pretensions that set themselves up against our God?  On almost a daily basis, we see posts on social media, comments made by celebrities, or advertisements that mock God and all that He represents.  We are encouraged to set “heroes” in a higher place than God.  We are taught to put our own desires above His. Our culture indoctrinates us to consider ourselves before anyone else.  We are told we are the center of the universe and should do whatever makes us happy.  What if we, our children, women around us make the wrong choice?  Do the wrong thing? Hang with the wrong people?  What if no likes me?  Or what if everyone does?  All these thoughts are arguments and pretensions that set themselves up against the Lord’s very words, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

I can vividly remember a certain morning I spent with the Father, and there was nothing pretty about it.  For hours I was on my face, sobbing and bargaining with Him.  I begged Him to change things with one of my children.  I repented of every sin and shortcoming I could recall.  I promised to do anything He asked of me.  I whispered and shouted.  I cried and prayed.

And when I had soaked tears clear through my rug and my entire being was completely exhausted—I listened.  He whispered, in His all too familiar fashion, to my heart, “This is not about you having control.  You are not in control of your children, and any thought to the contrary is a mirage.  I am also not interested in your begging and empty promises.  This is about my promises and your willingness to have enough faith to believe them.”

It was then that I began to realize that my only course of action that would have any impact lay in how I related to my Father.  Now when I pray and when I trust Him, He calms the storms and makes the winds and the waves still.  I needed only to believe in the power and restoration which He promised.

He calms my storm, He stills the waves for me.  This is for the countless lives around me being attacked by the enemy—He knows their storm, He stills their waves, too.  When I relate to the Father in the way I’m intended to, He is able to work through me to minister to those around me.  It isn’t my battle to win.  It’s my battle to fight with the weapon He has placed in my hands—His very Word.  He will win the war.  I need only to be still and believe.

Fighting against the culture can seem nothing less than overwhelming; however, when we team up, build up, and lift up each other with God’s Word there is divine power.  Power to stand still, power to drop to our knees, and the power to lead other women into His loving arms for healing and restoration so He can demolish strongholds, arguments, and pretenses.

I am honored and humbled to embark on this ministry journey with you.  I will stand with you in the gap for your family and your ministry through prayer.  The Lord will fight for us; we need only be still and trust in Him.

My love,