I have recently gone through some adversity. And on a scale of A to F, I think I got an F!

Here’s the deal: A 3 day Esther fast was announced for last week. I joined it, BUT on Thursday, the first day, I started developing  a very bad case of tendonitis in my left shoulder and arm. (Imagine that.) On Friday, the pain was excruciating and I could not go to work. I did a little bit of work on the computer here at home, then went to the family clinic in the afternoon for help with the pain. The pain continued over the weekend and it was Tuesday before I woke up with a measurable amount of relief from it. Throughout, I did some fasting, but not a lot of praying about anything but my arm! Pain can make me so SELF-centered (which I believe it is intended to do). Yes, I believe powers of darkness were involved in this situation to divert me from praying about the focus of the fast which was the problems the new administration has been having. Are powers of darknessl that focused and specific? I do believe they are. Read the book of Daniel. Daniel prayed a prayer in Daniel Chapter 10 that was delayed due to intense warfare from such powers. It took extra help from an extra angel to get the answer to Daniel. Amazing!

This reminds me of another time many years ago when I was preparing to go to an all night prayer meeting that I really wanted to attend. I went to take a short nap before leaving that night, and lo, and behold, I woke up with an unidentified fever. I knew it was spiritual forces trying to stop me, so I went anyway. I spent the night on a cold, concrete floor, praying and shivering, but battling through it. Others prayed for me also, and around 3 a.m., the fever broke and I was back to normal. And glad I didn’t let that stop me!

The Bible says, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” Proverbs 24:10. I think my strength has diminished and I need to do some exercises.

Revised.