You’d think that once a person had written a book about fiery darts (negative thinking) then those troublesome fiery darts wouldn’t be such a problem anymore. N-O-T ! One thing I did conclude early on was that the fiery darts didn’t let up, if anything they increased! ugh! The big difference was this: They don’t rule my thinking like they use to! And for me, that’s a really big deal.
My struggle of late is that the fiery darts are coming so fast, coming in such abundance, and are so unrelenting (bombarding my mind 24-7) that my spiritual strength is being sorely tested.
That’s the bad news!
But here’s the good news!
The simple truth (simple but HUGE) and one that I fall on my face before God in gratitude for is that because of what God has taught me about the attack of fiery darts, I DO NOT despair. And I promise you, before God enrolled me in Fiery Darts 101, problems like I encounter today would have sent me spiraling into depression. Let me share a scripture verse that puts it succinctly:
2 Corinthians 4: 8-9
‘We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.’
I know that sounds a little heavy but those of you who wrestle with negative thinking that takes over your thinking, influences your attitudes, and spawns negative behavior, KNOW that the above verse speaks a powerful truth. You know–the kind of truth that sets you free!
John 8:32
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set your free.”
Yes, one does get weary. Yes, Satan gets more cleaver with every attack. Yes, the fiery darts can fuel thoughts of despair and hopelessness. BUT ask yourself the following question,
“Do I want to spend the rest of my life successfully warding off fiery darts, or do I want to remain a victim of them?”(p. 45 from my book)
May I share the final paragraph in Section I of my book? For I do believe you will be challenged and encouraged by it.
When I am engaged in fighting off these fiery darts it’s not Satan who determines the outcome of the battle. Remember Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon formed against us will prevail.”(NIV) The Enemy has already been defeated, and though we may struggle in the battle, the final word from Micah 7:8 is that “we will rise.” I would encourage you to remember that you choose victory or defeat. And know that refusing to choose is a choice to fall and suffer defeat. Victory is yours as Deuteronomy 20:4 reminds us, “For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” (NIV) It is your choice! We know that Satan’s plans are to destroy us, but take heart for God has plans for us as well. Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”(NIV) (p. 45, Fiery Darts: Satan’s Weapon of Choice)
Know, my dear readers, while those fiery darts are a powerful force, we have someone fighting for us that can turn the tide in our favor.
1 John 4:4
“…greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”
Yes, the attacks are fierce, and at times almost overwhelming. But hang in there. Fight back with the Greater Power. Hide behind your Shield of Faith. Don’t give up. Even though you have thoughts that God has looked the other way and your hope is daily dwindling that God is going to intervene, remember–expose those thoughts for the fiery darts they are. That simple exercise will keep you hanging on and eventually you will see God move. And when that happens (and IT WILL HAPPEN), I would love for you to share your story with me.
So that God can be glorified and others will be encouraged!
Fiery Darts: Satan's Weapon of Choice 