Overcoming Strongholds

What do you say to a friend who is in the grip of a desert experience and gripped by an overwhelming sense of failure and condemnation? What do you say to yourself when you are in the midst of the storm? Below is a letter that expresses important scriptural truths:

Hello My Friend

As I was praying today, the Lord prompted me to search for Bible passages to reassure you. We all fail, we all sin, and we all fall short of the glory of God. However, it is in the great depths of despair and darkness that we die to the self, surrender more completely, bare our souls more genuinely, and cast upon the Lord the many heavy burdens that weigh down our spirits. These times in the valley are the beginning of a new dawn of transformation, healing, and the shedding of layers of self-deception that hide and disguise the truth. I know that this weapon formed against you will not prosper and like Joseph, this time in prison will be for God’s greater glory! We only fail when we permanently embrace worldly sorrow and agree with the lie of Satan that there is no hope and God has abandoned us. Mistakes and failures are necessary character- and faith-builders precisely because they are painful and demand our undivided and complete attention. Failure strips our internal defenses and we learn the folly of self-reliance. Yes, the Lord is chastising, but rest assured and receive comfort in the knowledge that his discipline is always for our betterment and produces a pleasant fruit, as is noted in Proverbs 3:11 below.