Flesh and Blood

I know not everyone reading this is a born-again Christian. I thank those of you for still reading along. I don’t want to shove my beliefs and faith in your face, and I pray that I have not done that. This is who I am and my beliefs naturally come out. I won’t apologize, though, because you all need to hear what I know to be true.

I feel like there has been such a change in perspective today. Before today, I spent my moments just thinking about how Stephanie’s body has betrayed her and how her physical nature has really affected her. She has never had a strong body, from raging allergies to sickness that would last weeks (vs. days for most people). I’ve been terrified for her since the seizures started.

But after talking with friends and family, speaking with people so much more in tune with the spiritual world than I am, I am hearing constantly about the angels in the room with Stephanie and the presence of God. I remember talking to Stephanie about her seizures over the months, too, and she always told me how she felt a strong spiritual battle over her. And I know she emailed a friend a few weeks back asking for prayer over this spiritual battle. I don’t believe her seizures were caused by things of this world, but by the spiritual realm. I don’t know why the attack is on her, except to say that she’s been doing more for God loving people than Satan can handle, and Satan wants to take her out.

I’m reminding God that He doesn’t have to let Satan win this one. But if He has more of His good planned to come out of some bad for me, then so be it. Our battle is not one of flesh and blood.

10 thoughts on “Flesh and Blood”

  1. Brad-
    Praise God.
    Praise Him for giving you the hope and comfort that you shared. Praise Him for equipping and empowering caregivers. Praise Him for offering eternal life in paradise, where we can anticipate a wonderful reunion.

    I pray for Him, the Great Physician, to perform a miracle. I pray that He would place His healing hand on Stephanie, and that He would be glorified. I pray that He would use this situation to touch the hearts and lives of others.

    Bless you all.

  2. Still praying without ceasing. And still believing! Again, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND.” 2 Tim 1:7

  3. I like this quote and wanted to share it with you:

    “Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God.”

    – Chuck Smith

  4. Our God is SO BIG! I trust Him to know that He’s doing something huge with you & Stephanie’s lives. I’m sure the doctors & nurses can feel the presence of our Lord in her room. I’ll keep praying. Nothing is too big for Him.

  5. “The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief.” — T. S. Eliot

    Thanks for continuing to stake your life (and the lives of Stephanie, Brady and Halle) on the promises of God!! I am amazed and humbled by your faith!! Praying for you all.

  6. Brad – I work with Nancy and met you this morning. You really do amaze me. With everything you are going through, you do not realize what an inspiration you truly are to the rest of us. I truly believe that your faith along with the amazing support you have from your friends and family will see you through this very difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless.

  7. This afternoon, I had to take Maeve and McKenna to the doctor to make sure they’re colds are just that and nothing more. On the way out to Westlake @ 2:22, I was struck by the beauty of God’s creation even as I was driving very focused to get to the appointment. On the way home from the appointment, I was again struck with the same feeling I had earlier. I really noticed the sunlight streaming through the trees, the graceful sweep of the wind, and I realized it felt like hope. I’m not saying it was hope for restoration of Stephanie because I am not a prophetic person. I would say that it was just a renewed sense of hope in our Almighty God. He sustains us, He is Power and Glory, and He has the victory. Just taking those few seconds to stop and really look around, and the privilege of lifting you guys up in the driveway was just powerful.

  8. This afternoon, I had to take Maeve and McKenna to the doctor to make sure they’re colds are just that and nothing more. On the way out to Westlake @ 2:22, I was struck by the beauty of God’s creation even as I was driving very focused to get to the appointment. On the way home from the appointment @ 3:30, I was again struck with the same feeling I had earlier. I really noticed the sunlight streaming through the trees, the graceful sweep of the wind, and I realized it felt like hope. I’m not saying it was hope for restoration for Stephanie because I am not a prophetic person. I would say that it was just a renewed sense of hope in our Almighty God. He sustains us, He is Power and Glory, and He has the victory. Just taking those few seconds to stop and really look around, and the privilege of lifting you guys up in the driveway was just powerful.

  9. AMEN. It’s a blessing to hear such powerful truth at such a difficult and trying time. I will continue to pray against the battle raging over your wife and family. Satan may gain the upper hand in a few battles but the Lord will reign victoriously in this war! I too am humbled by your unquestionable faith. Even in your weakness you are strengthening others with your trust in God.

    For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness – Ephesians 6:12

    You shall not fear them, for the Lord your God shall fight for you. – Deuteronomy 3: 22

    May the Lord bring you abundant peace to get through this difficult time.

  10. I found your blog via Melissa Curtis. I have spent the past hour reading your posts and praying for your family.

    This particular blog post really hit home with me. You see, while I am not experiencing near the level of attack your family is…my family is under attack from the enemy in a big way. Our son just left for college and my husband and I, having been married for 23 years, are trying to get to know one another again. Needless to say, the enemy has been trying to wreck havoc in our lives.

    When you wrote “she always told me how she felt a strong spiritual battle over her. And I know she emailed a friend a few weeks back asking for prayer over this spiritual battle. I don’t believe her seizures were caused by things of this world, but by the spiritual realm. I don’t know why the attack is on her, except to say that she’s been doing more for God loving people than Satan can handle, and Satan wants to take her out.”

    I just about fell off the couch. You see, I had just told a friend of mine (less than 24 hours ago) that I was going to quit. Bible Study. Everything. I just did not have the energy to fight anymore. It was not worth having the enemy after me and my family and if quitting Bible study would lighten his attack…I was willing to do it.

    After reading your blog, and getting much needed encouragement from friends, I am encouraged. No matter the circumstances, God reigns supreme. His ways are not our ways.

    Thank you for your vulnerability and honesty before God. It’s refreshing. While it’s really easy for us to say that our loved ones “belong to God” – not many people would admit to telling God that He could not have them yet…admitting the anger and hurt so truthfully.

    I pray God’s richest blessings and miracles on the lives of you and your family!

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