Wrestling Matches

I’m not fond of wrestling. Yet, I seem to be doing it every day. Being awakened at three in the morning is also not a good time to wake me up, making me think that I’m in a choke hold! Yet, it happened. But here is where it gets really interesting… I WON! Because unbeknownst to my opponent, this match was a tag-team match, and I tagged some very powerful teammates that my opponent could not wrestle against. Sounds like a suspense movie, or thriller, doesn’t it? It wasn’t. This was real-life, and there were some very real things going on.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places ~Ephesians 6:12, NLT

Whenever we stand against the enemy, often he retaliates with the things that he thinks will stop us. And yes, in the past these things would have stopped me point blank and sent me spiraling down into the darkest depth of the pit of depression. On this night though, it did not.

I had gone to bed, and gone to sleep, but was inundated with restless sleep, disturbing dreams, and physical pain in my back. Not only that, but my mind had become a battlefield with panic, fear, and anxiety that were slamming into me at full force. I knew that I was healed, so none of these things should be there. But before I allowed the door to be opened to them, Someone stopped me and quietly whispered, “You are in a spiritual battle. Gather reinforcements now!”

I got up, walked across the room, and picked up my Sword (Bible). As I stood in the middle of the living room floor, I said, “Honey, I need you to get up and pray with me.”

Immediately, in a clear voice, my husband raised up out of a sound sleep and said, “I’m right here.”

No matter the hour, wrestling matches come. And when they come, be prepared to fight! Because these things which were plaguing me at three in the morning were not of this world. The enemy fights in the darkness. And this particular night it was dark, no moon, and fog was so thick that it surrounded even my house. No one could see even if they had wanted to. It was downright creepy. So when I got up, I began turning on lights, illuminating the darkness.

Now please understand, I am not afraid of the dark. On this night though… I was afraid…exclamation mark! But, in that fear, I distinctly heard, “God has not given you a spirit of fear. You have power, love, and a sound mind!” (2 Timothy1:7) I knew that things would be alright. Even as the fear welled up in my chest. Even as the anxiety threatened to overtake me. I knew in my heart that these were not welcome because I was healed.

As D.A. and I began to pray, I began to feel the peace and comfort of my heavenly Daddy surround me. I began to feel His presence wrap around me once more. I knew He hadn’t left me. I knew that I was under heavy spiritual attack. And I knew that I had already won, I just needed to step back into that healing balm once more. He was right there the whole time.

Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call… ~Isaiah 59:1, NLT

My Daddy heard me. He came when I called Him. Often times when we are in a battle, He will stand aside and watch, waiting as His children raise their swords. And the difference between victory and defeat lies in whether or not we have asked Him for His help and believe that He will do what He promises. We can’t go it alone. That’s a sure way to be defeated. But to stand in assurance, we must continue to ask Him for His help. Keep asking. Keep seeking, having faith, and He will open the door to victory for us!

And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ~Luke 11:9, NLT

The enemy of our souls only wants to seek, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). But he can’t win. He has no power even though he thinks he does. Instead WE have the power and it was given to us by our heavenly Daddy! So step into that wrestling match already a winner! The enemy prowls around the ring waiting to strike (1 Peter 5:8). You stand in confidence with a smile on your face, already knowing that you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)! And when the enemy strikes, pull out your sword, then put your foot on his neck and take control and authority over him (Deuteronomy 33:9, Joshua 10:24)! Because he has absolutely NO right to do what he is doing!

Trust me on this. I am a warrior. I am a victor. I am the daughter of the King of Kings! And I don’t mess around in wrestling matches.

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.