May We SEE Your "Winks"

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'” 2 Chronicles 20:17
Have you ever noticed that the enemy likes to aim his arrows at your weakest point? He is not stupid, and he knows where we struggle most. We all have that one area (sometimes several) that we constantly fight God for control over. Maybe it’s anxiety, fear, finances, marriage problems, parenting concerns, job stress, jealousy, bitterness, or any number of other issues. We try to give it to God, but then take it right back out of His capable Hands.
I certainly have my fair share of weak points and earlier this week satan began firing his arrows fast and furiously at those vulnerable places. I became instantly defeated and weary. “God, not this same battle again!” I cried in my heart “I can’t do this. I just want to give up.”
It is amazing to me how I can go from a spiritual mountaintop to the deepest valley in the blink of an eye. I guess standing on a mountaintop with your arms raised in worship makes you an easy target. I certainly felt like an easy target earlier this week, as my thoughts turned to what was wrong and away from the One who is Right.
Yesterday, I woke up still feeling defeated and asked God to show me a glimpse of Him. I was meeting with a sweet friend early in the morning. We meet occasionally to encourage each other in our different writing projects. We sat down and laughed at the fact that neither one of us really knew what we would talk about that day. We didn’t have a plan, but God certainly did.
I had not told my friend about my inner struggle and weariness, we just started talking about a writing conference we are soon to attend and read each other’s latest writings. We spent two sweet hours together and then she started to leave. As she was leaving, she looked at me and spoke the sweetest kindest words to my heart. She encouraged me not to get overwhelmed with temporary fleeting things, but to keep my eyes fixed on eternity and the God who is forever. I wanted to stand there like a fish with my mouth hung open. How did she know? Did she know my inner battle? But then in that moment, I knew she was speaking God’s words to me. It was as if God gave me a “wink.”
A wink can express such depth of emotion. When my husband winks at me across a room, I know that wink is just for me. It conveys love and affection and sometimes an inside joke. When I wink at my kids as they are taking the stage in a recital or giving a presentation, I am telling them (through the wink) that I know they can do it and that I am cheering for them. A wink is an expression of caring and support.
I felt like God winked at me yesterday through my friend’s words. He reminded me that struggles on this earth are temporary, and have already been defeated on the cross. While I may still have daily battles to fight, He has already won the war! I can give my fears and frustrations to Him, and in return He will give me contentment. After all, this world is not my permanent home. As long as I keep an eternal perspective the arrows seem to lose their effectiveness.
Satan is still trying to fire those arrows today, but today I have surrendered; although not to him. I have surrendered to God. I have waved my white flag and asked Him to fight the battle. I am hiding behind my Shield, tucked safely in “His righteous wing.” It feels much better here, and I can raise my hands in worship, not fearing being an easy target because God is all around me.
“Lord, thank You for fighting our battles and thank You for providing reminders of Your love. Thank You for Your “winks” and may we SEE those winks when You give them. Help us to become those “winks” for others by being open to speak Your truth to others today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”