The Answer Is No

I lead John into a trail of faith that would challenge him to mature in a greater way. It would help him to find more peace and rest. It also would help him when it comes to Spiritual Warfare. The trial started as John was challenged to memorize the first chapter of James by his pastor. One of the beginning verses he learned was: James 1:2 “My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations(trials). Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience, let patience have it’s perfect work that you might be perfect (mature) and entire wanting nothing.” Truly if John could learn this truth in a deeper way greater things could happen. Psalm 61:2 says: When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. In this trial John’s faith would be overwhelmed. The main point of the trial begins a few days earlier to when John was supposed to speak at a presentation for a group called NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). John and his sister were going to share about their experience about recovery. Cindy and John both wanted to testify of Me that night. The trial started for John as he thought about speaking at the group. He started finding himself more and more anxious. John and some medicine designed for his panic attacks. This medicine normally worked when it was applied. This was not true during the strength of this attack. At one point during the trial John told me, “I believe that you died on the cross for me, but I have no more faith.” John was at the end of his faith. He would discover that My faith was still there. Shortly after John said he had no more faith I allowed him to have an sense My presence was departing. It lasted for about three minutes. John tasted a fear of Me. That brought him back to faith. It was like a defibrillator going off. By this John realized that I loved him enough to discipline him. John had renewed faith, but the severe anxiety was still growing. John battled the day of the presentation. The anxiety was to the point of exhaustion. John tried to counter with verses he had learned, but those did not help either. John’s parents thought John was falling apart. They wondered why John would put himself in such a position. John’s sister Cindy showed up. She was ready to share to the group. Even though this was so hard. John decided that he would still try to share. On the way there I opened John’s understanding that not only did he want to do this, but he wanted to do it for My honor and My glory. This thought released John from his anxiety and lead him to a place of peace. Both Cindy and John presented their illness, as well as their faith. This deliverance would be something John could base his recovery on. He will remember that I showed up. Another truth that came out of this happened the next day. John went to his counselor that helped him to deal with his panic attack. John told of his build up to severe anxiety. The counselor wondered why he had tortured himself this way. She suggested that John could say “No” to himself. John later realized the verse “Resist the Devil and he shall flee. Draw nigh unto God and He shall draw nigh unto thee.” John learned that not only could he say “No” to himself, but to Satan. Truly when it comes to faith “No” is the word Satan hates to hear.