While running at the track the other day, I was spending time with God like normal. At one point when I was practicing some intentional time just listening to Him, I saw (in my spirit) a large shadow that had stretched over me and I heard (in my heart) “Throwing Shade”. In that moment God began to show me why the past several days had been so very hard for me emotionally. Before this moment I couldn’t explain why I had been feeling so down, defeated and alone. I had been feeling like I was stuck in a dark spot and had no traction to get myself out, and that’s just not the way I usually feel. Years ago, God set me free from depression. I mean, I literally felt and saw the cloud of depression lift off me and go away and I’ve been different ever since. Because of that amazing moment, I refuse to allow depression any foothold in my life or the life of my family. We don’t even use the word “depressed”. If any of my kids try to even joke about being depressed, I cut it off immediately because I know how real and oppressive it is. Which brings me back to the other day…..
I realized that what I had been feeling was a lot like depression, and I was fighting tooth and nail to be free. So, when God showed me that cloud and spoke those words it was clear that this was an attack of the enemy.
He said, “The enemy is throwing shade at you, so come out into the Light.” In that instance, I saw myself run right out from underneath the cloud and I saw a bright light wash over my face. Instead of looking away because of the brightness, I turned directly toward it and refused to look away. This is something we have to learn to do intentionally because we are told all our lives not to look directly into the sun otherwise, we will go blind. So, it seems natural to turn your head (and heart) away from something so bright, but what I’ve discovered about the Son is this, if I look directly at Him, then I go blind to all the deceptions and tricks and lies of the enemy. The way God works is so fun! I just love it.
As a result of this recent encounter, I have determined to fill my mind with solid truths to combat the enemy throwing shade at me…..So, the next several days I will be highlighting a different Biblical truth each day. I hope this will also help you walk directly into the Light.
Prayer Moment: If you do or have struggled with depression, be encouraged today God can and will deliver you from that cloud. First, be honest with God today about how you are feeling and invite Him to pull you out of the darkness and into His glorious Light! I pray the next few days leaves you feeling more encouraged and confident than ever. Let’s do this!
This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles- the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Matthew 4:15-16
365 Days in the Presence 