Click notes to download the PDF with the original content

Perseverance is one of those topics we like to talk about after the issue or storm. For a while now, I have felt like God has led me to share how I handle the valleys during the storms, and not just after. The last time I shared during one of these seasons was when I had the physical issues of masses in my throat and how the shalom of Jesus kept us going.

As many of you know, right now our whole family is in a very difficult season of attacks during the waiting/ transition that God has us in.

What a hard and dark season it has been!

This season of attacks started after a few prophetic encounters we had 11 months ago today. It is not a surprise that Satan would want to discourage, distract, and get us to give up after an encounter with God.

Satan wants to remove your focus from the experience God gave you, no matter how your encounter came (prophetic, impartation, healing, etc).

When Jesus talks about His peace He gives us in John 14, He also mentions that He does not give as the world gives to us. If Jesus is talking about peace, and that is not what the world gives, then we can expect that the world gives troubles and fear. Jesus also states, "Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid". So we should know and expect that Satan, who is of this world, will bring troubles and fear.

We have Jesus, we have Holy Spirit, and we have Father GOD!

WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD!

Just knowing what we have does not make it easy to keep focused!

You know the scripture from James, .. Count it all joy when trials of various kinds come.

What? Joy? REALLY???

It is hard to count it all joy when I hurt my back, when my wife has had physical issues, when my children have been under many attacks, when our character is under attack, and when our finances drop to critical levels.

All since the prophetic encounter 11 months ago.

This picture above with the man pushing the boulder up hill just describes how we feel. It's like there are so many boulders in our way to where God has called us to go and we are just pushing all of them uphill. I know God is removing boulders and taking our burdens as we surrender them, but it certainly does not feel joyful.

During these types of experiences, I like to think of Joseph. He had an encounter, and then the the attacks came. He experienced betrayal, slavery, prison, and attacks on his character. I wonder if he was just always joyful in the pit, in the desert, when he was sold as a slave, or in prison.

I think "count it all joy" is not just putting on a smile and doing the whole grin and bear it thing we like to do. It's understanding that the testing of out faith will bring steadfastness, and when steadfastness is full, it will complete us!
(James 1)

We have to lean on the full word of God to understand where we are and what is going on in our lives.

Even while I am typing this email I am very discouraged. The boulders look massive. The attacks are loud. My family and I feel very secluded in this season.

I have to remind myself that God will work all things out for good and His glory if we can focus on Him.

It is not easy.

Remember what God has done!

One of the biggest weapons we have is to remember what God has done! We need to keep monuments that remind us of God's goodness and our victories that have resulted from His goodness. It can be notes, a picture, or anything that will remind you of your encounters and victories in Jesus!

I keep a cane I used to walk with right by my desk. It reminds me I once was disabled and now I am healed.

The picture of the dove is a reminder that God is with me and for me.

I took that picture in South Dakota about 10 years ago. I was working away from home, working 20 hours a day, and in a very stressful disaster recovery project. It had been almost 3 months since I was home with Brenda and our 3 children (under 12). I wanted to be home. This project had me managing over a few hundred employees, about 200 contractors, and the mayor (who was a very hands on client). I had very little time for anything besides work and sleep.

I remember being very down and distressed when I asked God why was I there. Why I was not doing the ministry that He called me to and all the prophetic words spoken that pointed to my calling.

Right after this simple prayer, at 2:30 am, I was leaving the office tired and knew I had a meeting at 6:00am. As I walked to my vehicle, I looked over and this dove landed on the car I was walking next to. This is not just a normal dove we see flying around. A pure white dove with feathers covering its legs. A beautiful sight in a dark season. I took the picture and almost touched it before it flew away. It was God showing me the He, Jesus, and Holy Spirit were with me. This gave me hope and strength to continue moving forward. God did some amazing things during this project that changed many lives. I just had to look where He was leading.

This picture reminds me that He is with me and victory is coming!

No matter what you are going through, God is with you and for you!

We need to persevere with wisdom to know and understand God is working on our behalf. Be honest with God. Be honest with those who will pray for you and encourage you in the storm.

We will pray for you. Let us know what you need prayer for!

You can submit prayer request to:

Prayerrequest@lifestyleofmiracles.com