When Everything Feels Lost: Taking Back What the Enemy Has Stolen
Life can feel an awful lot like a battlefield sometimes, can’t it? You fight for your health, your relationships, your finances, and it feels like you’re constantly losing ground. Maybe you’ve been praying and trusting God, but nothing seems to change. You may feel on the verge of giving up, wondering if it’s even worth the fight anymore.
Friend, I’ve been there. That place of despair where the enemy’s voice (however you understand him) feels deafening says: “You’ll never get out of this,” “God doesn’t care,” “It’s all your fault.” But here’s the truth: those voices spew LIES! The Bible is filled with stories of God’s people facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, and yet, God came through. Not only that, other “regular” people have gone through what you have gone through and have come out the other side stronger, victorious, and more empowered. Love is a God of restoration. He wants you to get back what the enemy has stolen from you. He wants to restore you in places where you or others have made big mistakes!
Statistics Don’t Define Your Story
Did you know that according to a 2021 Pew Research Center study, nearly 80% of Americans have faced a major life setback at some point? [Pew Research Center, Religious Landscape Study, 2021]. You are not alone in your struggle.
But here’s what most websites won’t tell you: statistics don’t define your story. The enemy might want you to focus on the numbers and the odds stacked against you, but God is in the business of defying the odds.
Statistics don’t define you and your story. Failure does not define you and your story. Success does not define you and your story. Only God gets to define you and empower you in your story!
The Power of Scripture: Fighting Back with the Word of God
Scripture is one of the weapons in our arsenal for this fight. Here are a few verses to cling to when you feel like giving up:
- “17 But I promise you, no weapon meant to hurt you will succeed, and you will refute every accusing word spoken against you. This promise is the inheritance of Yahweh’s servants, and their vindication is from me,” says Yahweh.”
(Isaiah 54:17, TPT)
- 1“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths[ for his name’s sake.”
(Psalm 23:1-3, NRSVUE)
- “57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”(1 Corinthians 15:57, NRSVUE)
These are just a few examples, but the Bible is overflowing with promises of God’s faithfulness and power. When you feel defeated, open up God’s word and let it wash over you. Pray and journal and let His Spirit wash over you, comfort you, and strengthen you.
Marked by Love Course: Experiencing God’s Power in the Fight
While this article can’t replace the depth of a dedicated Bible study, there are resources available to help you experience God’s power in a deeper way. This is why I developed my “Marked by Love Course” and have recently expanded just for you! It is designed for you to experience God more, develop intimacy with Him, hear His voice in your everyday life, heal from hurts, grow and be settled in your true identity, and be able to connect with your purpose and be empowered to fulfill it. For more on the Marked by Love Course click HERE.
Beyond Survival: Embracing Restoration
Regaining what the enemy has stolen isn’t just about survival; it’s about stepping into the abundant life God has for you. Maybe you’ve lost your health, but God promises healing (Jeremiah 30:17, 1 Peter 2:24). Perhaps your finances are in shambles, but the Bible tells us He delights in prospering His faithful servants (Psalm 35:27). Maybe trauma and loss has rifled through your life, but God promises healing and restoration (Isaiah 61:1-4).
Don’t settle for survival and coping mechanisms. Cling to God: your Healer, Deliverer, Provider, and Restorer and the promises in scripture that point to Him rightly and His restoring power. Know that He is fighting for you and interceding for you. He will restore what you’ve lost, and He will bring you out stronger on the other side, an upgraded version of yourself (Zephaniah 3:17, Romans 8:26-31; Hebrews 7:25).
Finding Strength in Community
The road to restoration can be long, and often we need a helping hand to carry the load. We were never designed for independence, but interdependence. Pray about and be open to where Holy Spirit is leading you to connect with a supportive faith community, a counselor, or a mentor who can walk alongside you during this challenging time. Sharing your struggles with others who understand can be a powerful source of strength and encouragement.
Conclusion
Finally, remember that God uses even our darkest moments to draw us closer to Him. This is there where He can sustain us and bring us out. Consider Psalm 34:18 (NIV), which says:
“18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
As God sustains us and brings us through, we can partake of the fruit of Holy Spirit, especially perseverance, which makes us unstoppable. As we look to Him, we can ask Him to show us where He is and what He is doing.
Know that He is with you every step of the way. He never loses His grip on you, even when you feel you can’t hold on to Him. His love for you is unwavering, and His plans for your future are filled with hope.
So, friend, will you choose to believe the enemy’s lies, or will you trust in Love Who never fails and His unfailing promises? Will you allow this challenge to break you, or will you use it as an opportunity to grow stronger in faith? Will you allow the circumstances to make you bitter, or will you choose to seek God to use them to become better? The choice is yours. But know this: you are not alone. God is fighting for you, and He can see you through.
It is the very battles that threaten to crush us that, as we follow God through our valleys, can be used to grow us as the champions we are, knowing that we are NEVER alone. We are one with Love Who never fails! That means if you have not seen your restoration, the story – YOUR story is not finished!
Know that I am standing with you! And I’d love to hear from you!
XO,
CatherinePS. If this has been helpful or if you just want huge growth, don’t forget to check out my newly expanded “Marked by Love Course” online. Click HERE!
