Creating White Space and Waging War in the Spirit

This week I was reminded of what it looks like to wage war in the Spirit. War is a call to action. As followers of Christ we are reminded that we do not fight against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities and powers of this dark world. We fight against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. This is why we put on the full armor of God. We are called to pray against these forces. Prayer is not a last resort.  It is not the last ditch effort dear ones. Prayer is the weapon of choice. It is powerful and effective. When I reexamine the battles I am fighting in light of this, I am spurred on to action. To pray without ceasing, to pray against these spiritual forces and to pray knowing. We pray, knowing that the God who chooses to live in us is greater than he who is in the world.

When all around us feels dark and we literally feel like the earth is trembling and the mountains are being thrown into the heart of the sea. We go to the one place that quiets our spirits. We run to the one safe place.
” In the day of trouble he will keep me safe in His dwelling. He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5
His Word is full of truth. His word is full of reminders of His faithfulness. Sure it is easy to pull out our phones and distract ourselves from the chaos going on around us but wouldn’t you rather be equipped than distracted.

We are in a battle. Whether we like it or not. There is an enemy of our souls. I don’t know about you but I would rather go into battle with armor, equipped to fight. The enemy would have us be distracted. Battle, what battle? Let’s escape all the drama, fear, sadness and tension that surrounds us. Let’s just chill out and relax! I’m not saying there isn’t a time to relax and rest. On the contrary the Lord has been speaking to me about that. However we can still rest and at the same time be vigilant. Be on guard. Our enemy the devil roams to and fro seeking whom he may devour. We are called to be alert and to pray continuously. Our resting comes in KNOWING! Knowing that our prayers are powerful and effective. That they are producing something and we will overcome, because of JESUS!

I came across something today that the Lord spoke to me 1 yr ago when we were smack dab in the middle of the middle of my husband’s battle with brain cancer. It still rings so true today!
“Have you ever had a word strike you? It’s kind of like a bell going off in your head. For me, I guess I would describe it as the Holy Spirit telling me there is something deeper here. I read an article recently that was talking about the importance of white space on a wall or in decorating a room. In order for us to be able to appreciate the beauty around us our eyes needed places to rest. So… too much stuff keeps that from happening. The last few days I felt the Lord putting it all together in my heart. People NEED white space! We need to create moments where we aren’t doing something, including thinking. That can be HARD to do. We have our phones that serve as a distraction when there is a moment of waiting. We have people calling or texting, a to -do list a mile long, obligations and responsibilities.  We have decisions to make and plans to make for the future.  Finding white space can be very difficult. But I am convicted more than ever that it is necessary for us to create that white space in our lives.

My favorite place to “Be still ” and create white space in my heart.

When we don’t we are robbed of the peace that only comes from being still and knowing that he is God. We miss out on the beauty right in front of us because of the things that keep our minds and bodies busy. We actually NEED to be still in body and mind. Maybe that is part of what the sabbath rest was about,being still and knowing God.

I have had to learn to give myself permission to leave messages hanging out in my inbox, until I can get back to them. I have had to discipline myself to push the pause button on all of the things weighing on me to get done, to “create white space” in my heart and mind.  I then can listen so much better to the Lord. I find myself taking deeper breaths, inhaling his presence and exhaling his peace.  Allow yourselves to do that dear ones, and give others around you grace to do the same.

In this new season I have found myself creating literal white spaces throughout my house.

It is that very thing,  that “white space”, that allows us to come back to the battlefield refreshed. To be vigilant, to be alert to be able to remember that the battles we fight, are against our adversary the devil, not each other.

So my friends, ” Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ” Galatians 6:9