Spritual attack?

Sandina · Post by **Sandina** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:12 am

Do you ever feel like you're under spiritual attack? I'm a Christian but I never believed that the devil was really after me until I started suffering with anxiety and depression. I feel like it is a daily struggle to keep my head above water, and I thank God for being my strength. I don't know what I would do without my faith!

One reason why I feel like we're under spiritual attack is because everyone I know with this condition is creative, compassionate and extraordinary. Don't you think the devil wants to thwart our power?

Another reason is because my anxiety symptoms shift around so much. It seems like just when I've overcome the fear of heart palpatations I start feeling dizzy, etc. I know that this "symptom shift" is common, but it just makes me wonder if it isn't more than just physical or mental, maybe it's spiritual too?

On the other hand, I don't think I would be who I am today without this affliction... maybe it is part of God's plan for me so that I can become who He needs and wants me to be!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:55 am

Sadina,
I believe that the devil constantly tests and taunts us. I've even made my husband turn off movies about possession, scared it would happen to me if I watched it. I have to say "Devil get behind me in the name of Jesus Christ" when I feel him coming at me. His purpose is to confuse and reek havoc in our lives. I also sometimes pray to God for Him to bind Satan and place him at the foot of Jesus's most Holy Cross. I do this a lot when evil/bad thoughts enter my mind that I can't get out. God is stronger and will help you overcome even though He allows Satan to exist and come at us. Try one of my one liners over and over til the feeling passes or maybe pray the Our Father until you feel peace. I sure hope it helps and always know that you are not alone. Beverly

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:06 am

A book that really helped me is 'The Bondage Breaker' by Neil Anderson. We need to know for sure who we are in Christ. The devil can't do anything to us but lie to us. It is up to us to refuse to believe the lies. Yes, I do believe most of our anxiety and depression comes from the father of lies.

equestrian1 · Post by **equestrian1** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:41 am

If you are children of God how can you believe that the devil has any power over you?

This is a medical disorder, it's not a curse of the devil. By blaming the devil, isn't that the ultimate in denial and blame? The only way you'll get over this is to stop making excuses and stop blaming others. I mean really, the devil has nothing better to do but to torture you with anxiety? Come on.

God has blessed you so there is no curse, no evil, that can touch you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:25 am

Sandina,

I don't think I know you hit the nail on the head.Francesca, your partially right as well.You can not ignore the chemical make up of the human person,but at the same time there has been a war going on since the beginning of time.Read - Paul's letter to the Ephesians,chapter 6 verse 10-21.The devil is alive and well and if you don't believe he's involved in a lot the the peoples troubles here he's got you fooled as well.That's not to say the program will not help, yes it will,teaches the tools to be positive and not over react.The whole battle with the devil is keeping a positive attitude and the right frame of mind in life situations,meaning not making them larger then the really are,which people like us tend to do.In summation, if you stay close to God and do the program you should do just fine.Fallow your doctors recommendations as well.Don't have the time to share my experiences here and most of the time I don't believe what I've experienced in the past either.Just remember a major wedge the devil uses is fear and the program addresses that very well.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:12 am

Hi everyone,

I just had a chance to read everyone's replies today and clearly the Lord tells us to "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with prayer and thanksgiving, make your requests known to God, and the peace of Jesus, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phillippians)."

I often asked God to show me how to not be anxious. Lord, I need steps, and this program helps with that. This is a process and I do believe in ulitmate deliverance and healing. Otherwise, Jesus would not have performed miracles of healing not only physical infirmaties, but epileptic attacks which were often induced by a demonic spirits. Wherever it is coming from, His ministry consists of healing and that's what I receive and believing for ultimately.

A great book on mental and emotional healing is from Stormie Omartian, "Lord, I Want to be Whole." I've read other books on Stormie, but had no idea of the bondage this powerful woman of God WAS in. God is creating us into the people He meant for us to be, and our trial will help set others free. Be blessed and believe for your healing to manifest.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:59 am

This is a very complicated issue. We live in a fallen world, and every sickness and disease can be seen as an attack on any human being by Satan. It can be a chemical problem, an environmental problem,etc. and then Satan takes advantage of us when we are weakened by any source. So I agree with Francesca that it can be chemical, but at the same time, I have the answer "No, Satan doesn't have anything better to do then sit around and attack us. That's his job." I remember that at one of the worst times with my anxiety, it just seemed like all of these bad things kept happening to me(an F-4 tornado, my son diagnosed with autism, etc.), and I couldn't get my head above the water to take a breath. I saw a sermon by a pastor who talked about who Satan attacked. He used the analogy of the Hebrews wandering in the wilderness and stated that Satan went after those who were at the back of the pack-weak and isolated. Those at the back of the pack were those who were disabled, sick, tired, etc. This let me know, that yes, Satan does kick you when you are down. So, if you look at anxiety and depression as a weakness because you need to change your thinking, and you don't feel well, etc. of course Satan is going to take advantage of you at that point. And you're right, people with anxiety do have gifts that Satan doesn't want us to use, as does a person battling cancer while undergoing chemo who may not be able to use their gifts at that time. So, you can look at anxiety and depression as a spiritual attack, but you must also remember that you can view any sickness or disease that way. At the same time, you have to also consider that there is an answer. "Greater is He that is in you then he who is in the world" is the scripture that helps with that. The good news is that we can go to God and focus on Him to deliver us in the way that he chooses to provide the healing-this program, counseling, medication, etc. I did turn to God, and He did help me after I realized what was happening. I don't like it when it is taught that Satan is the sole cause of anxiety, and that there's this Demon Spirit that's attacking us and that there's nothing we can do about that or that if we are having anxiety it must be because we aren't being faithful enough, etc. That's not always the case, and we have to be careful. I mean, do we go around judging people spiritually when they catch the flu? I think I liked the quote by Joyce Meyers in her book on healing where she talks about others judging people when they are sick and saying it must be because of their sin. She asks who of us as parents would let our toddler get hit by a car to teach them from running out in the street? So we just have to be careful with this belief too. So, I agree with this belief, but I believe it because I believe that every sickness, etc. comes from Satan because we live in a fallen world and this wasn't God's plan for us to be sick or harmed in any way. I also believe in the redemptive power of Christ to provide healing as was mentioned above.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:57 am

I agree with Luvpiggy in that this is a very complicated issue. For the most part because it deals with your personal beliefs mainly. Some believe strongly in the power of Satan as well as the power of God. I myself believe in one power only and that is the power within.....through God.

It is my nature to try and show people that they possess the power within to create any circumstance they wish to experience. It is also my nature to try and sway people away from any negative thinking that is destructive to who we are as human beings. ie. Satan or an evil force.

Having gone through the experience of anxiety and depression, I realize that trying to sway these beliefs at this point in your journey would be all too consuming. Trying to convince someone that an evil force doesn't exist would be equilvilent to saying that your anxiety isn't real and or doesn't exsist either. They do, but, only when your perspective on it are aligned with your thoughts about it.

I can tell you from my earlier experience with anxiety, that it was infact real. I felt FEAR, racing thoughts and a whole slew of frightening sensations. When I realized that I had the power within to create this, I also realized I had the power within to turn it around. I no longer experience anxiety. At least not at a level that isn't beyond the norm. Point here...you hold the power...not Satan.

An evil force is not at work here. People are freaking themselves out based on what your beliefs are about a specific situation. Example: I did not belief in a Higher being of evil power and during my bouts with panic, I could convince myself otherwise. I felt as if someone was after me, something was causing this. I knew at a rashional level that it was just my thoughts about it. When I was able to stop, gather my thoughs, redirect them onto the right path...I would gather the momentum I needed to move forward in another direction. A posistive one. Again...who has the power? Me!

My hopes are that anyone who believes in a evil being can except that, regardless of your beliefs, YOU have the power to change things. That power is from a higher being (in my world God) and all things are possible through him/her.....because of him/her. Stay positive and hopeful. Thats where it all starts.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:23 am

... isn't that the ultimate in denial and blame? The only way you'll get over this is to stop making excuses and stop blaming others.

Exactly

I'm surprised a thread of this nature is even allowed to be discussed in here.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:48 am

I beleive this about Christ!

2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

My personal opinion is anxiety is a behavural disorder, in other words, stinking thinking!!!
I also beleive that God gives us many avenues to help with any fear we have, including this program. Satan didnt give me this disorder.. I allowed it to happen to myself, and IM the one with the Help of faith and this program to overcome it!!!
Satan, the devil, Lucifer, etc. doesnt have any power over a child of God... none of these have the power to test you! You can be tempted, but you have the control whether to make the right or wrong choices.
I also beleive this:
1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.
I hope this helps. Nelly:)