No one anticipates that he or she will be a sparring partner for someone who is a close relative or friend. You don't expect God to use you, a mere vessel, to whip a loved one into shape while God works on you too during the process. You might assume some people are like you, they will just learn to love the Lord and trust in Him without any significant battle looming especially if it is one involving yourself. But sometimes God's timing is not ours and his methods of reaching someone doesn't look remotely similar to what we might expect.
So here you are a man or woman flawed and being used to test your relative, partner or friend. You experience a supernatural feeling that seems to disappear from your body either a week or so before the big blow up. You feel alone, distant from God, and you hope that He is still with you. Days or weeks later, the results of God's distance in your life is truly felt. What has come over you? You tend to act in ways you didn't expect with someone God has marked. A person with real issues that you simply can't deal with and seem to be all alone in your trial with him or her. Your sparring partner is just as confused as you are once the match comes to an end. "How did we end up like this? What just happened, I'm confused." Disagreements, angry words, no sign of Jesus, and an empty feeling that causes you to doubt whether you are a believer. Welcome to a new level in your spiritual walk! The same God who you might have felt left you, was still close all the time!
You might have heard an old expression, "New levels, new devils" among Christians. Well, when God puts us through some life challenges, He has a way of working it all out for our good. You walk away from spiritual warfare unscathed. You feel renewed in mind, body and spirit. You have yet another new perspective on your walk. You draw near to your heavenly Father. In addition, you might have noticed that your sparring partner realizes that God is after he or she using you. This person may not ever see you in the same way again, but God!
God's chosen will be used to draw God's chosen near at times. Did you catch that? Re-read. It is during those spiritual battles that the one who is having to present truth in a way that is like someone screaming over a megaphone must exercise as much self-control as he or she can muster through the help of God. Even if you feel like you really want to shake the lies right out of your loved one, smack your friend, and kick your partner out the house, you must refrain. God will permit the enemy to take you ever so close to the edge of what you might think is a mental breakdown, when in fact it is nothing more than spiritual breakthrough (Read the book of Job).
A spiritual awakening doesn't always show up in a praise or shout, lying prostrate before the Lord, singing, praying, or passing out in the Spirit. It can come in the least likely way for a season. Your loved one can look like your worst enemy! But hold on, just hold on to God's unchanging hand!
Confess any sin committed during your spiritual test, repent of your ways. Forgive those who have offended you (meaning stop plotting revenge or wishing evil on them). Realize that having sparring partners every now and then strengthens your faith and keeps you humble. A boxer can't win a match without some practice! When the trial is complete, wear your spiritual armor for the next one if you forgot to put it on the last one. Some prideful Christians learn through many fights, they just aren't as good as they might have thought. God is still refining you.
Nicholl McGuire
So here you are a man or woman flawed and being used to test your relative, partner or friend. You experience a supernatural feeling that seems to disappear from your body either a week or so before the big blow up. You feel alone, distant from God, and you hope that He is still with you. Days or weeks later, the results of God's distance in your life is truly felt. What has come over you? You tend to act in ways you didn't expect with someone God has marked. A person with real issues that you simply can't deal with and seem to be all alone in your trial with him or her. Your sparring partner is just as confused as you are once the match comes to an end. "How did we end up like this? What just happened, I'm confused." Disagreements, angry words, no sign of Jesus, and an empty feeling that causes you to doubt whether you are a believer. Welcome to a new level in your spiritual walk! The same God who you might have felt left you, was still close all the time!
You might have heard an old expression, "New levels, new devils" among Christians. Well, when God puts us through some life challenges, He has a way of working it all out for our good. You walk away from spiritual warfare unscathed. You feel renewed in mind, body and spirit. You have yet another new perspective on your walk. You draw near to your heavenly Father. In addition, you might have noticed that your sparring partner realizes that God is after he or she using you. This person may not ever see you in the same way again, but God!
God's chosen will be used to draw God's chosen near at times. Did you catch that? Re-read. It is during those spiritual battles that the one who is having to present truth in a way that is like someone screaming over a megaphone must exercise as much self-control as he or she can muster through the help of God. Even if you feel like you really want to shake the lies right out of your loved one, smack your friend, and kick your partner out the house, you must refrain. God will permit the enemy to take you ever so close to the edge of what you might think is a mental breakdown, when in fact it is nothing more than spiritual breakthrough (Read the book of Job).
A spiritual awakening doesn't always show up in a praise or shout, lying prostrate before the Lord, singing, praying, or passing out in the Spirit. It can come in the least likely way for a season. Your loved one can look like your worst enemy! But hold on, just hold on to God's unchanging hand!
Confess any sin committed during your spiritual test, repent of your ways. Forgive those who have offended you (meaning stop plotting revenge or wishing evil on them). Realize that having sparring partners every now and then strengthens your faith and keeps you humble. A boxer can't win a match without some practice! When the trial is complete, wear your spiritual armor for the next one if you forgot to put it on the last one. Some prideful Christians learn through many fights, they just aren't as good as they might have thought. God is still refining you.
Nicholl McGuire
