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On Wednesdays we are thrilled to fling open the doors to all of YOU! We love hearing your dreaming stories…the lessons you’ve learned, the roads you’ve walked, the dreams He’s planted in your hearts! Today we are excited to welcome Bethany Mcllrath to God-sized Dreams. She shares how God is stretching her beyond her doubts and fighting for her even when she fights Him. Thanks for being here today, Bethany!
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Sometimes we turn on ourselves.
Sometimes our loved ones have to fight us for us. It is, for example, for their own good that we scold and discipline children for running into the road. In a similar way, we fight loved ones when they choose self-harm because we know they need to be fought for.
There’s also a battle that the Lord fights on our behalf, against us.
Scripture describes this as the war between the Spirit and the Flesh, explaining that:
“The flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” –Galatians 5:17
We know whose side we’d like to be on. As Paul describes in Romans 7:19: We sometimes want to do good, but we choose to do wrong. We’re not to do whatever we feel like doing…but the desire causes wars within us.
The fact of matter is that we’re often standing in front of our flesh, our sinful desires, daring the Spirit to pierce us. Often we’re wielding our sins like weapons against God.
My weapon of choice is doubt.
The Lord flashes his sword of truth and speaks hope about a dream. I hold up my doubt like a shield.
My shield has a message: “I won’t give in, Lord. I refuse to believe that your dreams for me can be realized.”
He steps in closer and I thrust little excuse grenades His way. My barracks are full of sinful lies to hurl.
“I’m not good enough.” Boom. “I don’t like attention so this isn’t possible.” Take that. “Plenty of people agree this is just not for me.” So there.
His sword turns. Light catches on it and gleams, blinding me to all but what the truth proclaims: He is sufficient. Nothing can stand in His way.
I cave in awe and sometimes brief belief.
He fights against me, for me. I’m eternally grateful.
Even though I put the armor on to fight Him over it, the truth is that I’m always kind of rooting for Him to win. I know He’s for me, even when He’s against things I’m falsely identifying myself by.
Familiar?
Once upon a time I decided I was unlovable. I resisted serious relationships and avoided dating. What a soul battle the Lord fought with me in the day I reluctantly confessed to my now husband that against all my efforts otherwise I really liked him. Yeah, I am so glad the Lord won that one.
There was also a time that I swore I would never be good enough to be a writer. He wrestled me into a wonderful job: freelance writing.
These were dreams I refused. They were battles I fought the Lord over.
Praise Him- He won.
Many of my current dreams were once called my enemies…until the Lord defeated my sinful pride or fear in the matter. Then, by His grace, I’ve joined Him in the victory. How sweet our Lord is!
As you refuse dreams and plans He has for you too, my prayer is that you also lose to win.
We’re so blessed to be captured by Him in the end. It is pure amazing grace that the Lord fights for us, even when the battle is against us.
A learner at heart, Bethany Mcllrath believes that listening to the Lord’s Word and being attentive to all that He teaches her through daily life is a priceless blessing. Eager to share about her Savior, you can find Bethany’s writing on her blog: Firstandsecondblog.wordpress.com. She would love to connect with you on Twitter or Facebook as well.
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Do you have a God-sized Dream story to tell? We’d love to have you share your journey with us!
Visit our Guest Post Submissions page to learn more!
Alecia says
September 7, 2016 at 9:22 amDeprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826
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Thanks for guest posting, Bethany!
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mbethany says
September 7, 2016 at 8:50 pmDeprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826
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Thanks Alecia! So happy to be here!
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Michele Morin says
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Bethany, this post is just one more glimpse of your heart for Him. Thanks for daring to trust and obey.
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mbethany says
September 7, 2016 at 8:52 pmDeprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826
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Thanks so much Michele for stopping by to glimpse and encourage me today! : )
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Cheryl says
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I absolutely LOVE the truths you present here. It is SO true. God’s thoughts and ways are so far above ours, and His plan always so far surpasses our own. Why do we fight Him so? When we will learn to trust? I think we all fight the same battles, and I am so thankful He wins when we surrender! SO encouraged by your words, as always, sweet friend. God bless you!
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mbethany says
September 8, 2016 at 4:21 pmDeprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826
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Thanks, Cheryl!! I wish we didn’t fight Him so much either. So grateful He enables us to surrender and never misuses His victory!!
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Ifeoma Samuel says
September 8, 2016 at 10:50 amDeprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826
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Dear friend I had to share This! Beautiful and transparent😘
God bless you and more grace for you😉
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mbethany says
September 8, 2016 at 4:22 pmDeprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826
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Thank you, Ifeoma! Praying His grace and peace fill you today as well : )
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Anna Smit says
September 8, 2016 at 11:05 amDeprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826
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This is such a beautiful piece. The pursuing love of God is so powerful. I’m so glad I have lost many a battle as well, Bethany. Thank you for this Scriptural and personal encouragement.
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mbethany says
September 8, 2016 at 4:23 pmDeprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826
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Glad you’ve lost to win, too : )
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Pilgrim Journeyer says
August 30, 2018 at 3:50 pmDeprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826
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Great post. Lovely twist reversal on this theme. Insight appreciated! 😉
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