I’ve been held down by attackers. I’ve been held down by those who tormented me in the past. I’ve been held down by those who I thought were friends but weren’t. I’ve been held down by horrific memories. I’ve been held down by illness. I’m tired of being held down!

Throughout my life Satan attacked me in far too many ways, thankfully God has redeemed and restored. God truly turned what the enemy meant for evil and used it for good. My books both non-fiction and fiction point to God’s saving, recreating grace. I can write and speak of God’s wonderful unfailing love. I refuse to be held down by the past or the attacks of today.

We don’t have to be held down! We aren’t held down because we need to remember we are raised up. As Christians we are seated in the heavenlies with Christ.

For “…God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-6, NASB)

The truth is we are more than conquerors through Christ. Nothing can separate us from Him. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39, NIV)

No power is greater than God’s power. The devil may prowl around and roar, but God wins, and we are on the winning team. Nothing can hold down a soul secure in Christ.

If you are held down by despair and hopelessness, if the enemy seems too big and there doesn’t seem a way to move forward, remember God fights for His children. Nothing can separate you from God and His saving grace, saving power and rescuing love. You are not held down. Rise up in the truth of who you are in Christ.

Read the verses to help you rise in the truth of God’s love and protection. Rise up, friends. Rise up!

“The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.” (Deuteronomy 28:7, NASB)

“He delivers me from my enemies; surely You lift me above those who rise up against me; You rescue me from the violent man.” (Psalm 18:48, NASB)

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10, NASB)

“So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).” (2 Corinthians 12:10, AMPC)

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1, NIV)

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