Are you facing a difficult time? Are the odds of coming out victorious stacked against you?

I remember a year like that. Everything that could go wrong, did. We fell behind in making our house payments, and our home was being foreclosed. The transmission in our only vehicle went out. The water line to the house had burst, and needed repaired. There were health issues with our youngest child, just to name a few.

At every turn, it seemed that just as we handled one problem something else would happen. We spent a lot of time praying for God to extend His merciful hand, and help. And He did. We saw several big miracles that year. Some came later than sooner, in our estimation of timing, but it was undeniable that God had answered our prayers.

But the end of that year would be the most trying time of my life. I cannot give full details; however, I want to share what I learned.

It began in October. A terror came over me. Something had found it’s way into our home, and our best endeavors could not remove it. And while it was a physical thing, I believe it was a spiritual attack.

During the daylight hours I would be fine, taking care of the children, and household. But as evening would come, horror would paralyze me. I would no longer go into certain rooms of our home. I would listen intently for noises. I would sit and cry, shaking in fear.

When we would leave the house I would be fine, enjoying time with my family, but when we would get ready to go home, fear would strike. I would get sick to my stomach. When we would pull into our driveway, I would clench the van door with a death grip.

We prayed over our home, anointing the house. Our pastor came and prayed with us several times. I read the Bible, declaring God’s Word over our home and my family and peace would come for a while.

This continued through November and into December. When the fear would strike, I would kneel on the floor, and cry and pray. Sometimes only moans would come from my spirit. These times were increasing in occurrence.

Through this time, I was losing sleep and not eating. My body was taking a major hit. My family was suffering, my children were too young to understand what was going on. But I would not give up. I knew no matter what, I had to overcome this fear and terror. My weapon was…. my praise!

Any chance I had, I would raise my hands in praise to my Lord and Savior. My lips uttered praise day and night. I would quote scripture, and sing songs. The groaning of my spirit would ascend to heaven.

At church I had a very unique position on the worship team. I wielded a banner during praise and worship. During all this fear and terror, the weakness in my body, only a few close friends and select family knew what I was going through. Some would tell me to sit down, and rest, but I refused to give the enemy any victory. Every service I would take my position, and raise my banner in praise and worship.

All I had was my praise. Every thing that we tried to do in bringing peace was in vain. But oh the peace that passes all understanding that came when I would praise my Jesus. I did not let the fear steal my praise. The terror that came by night could not take my praise away.

The week after Christmas, we were given good news, we would be moving.  Packing was never more a joy. The thing that had brought fear, had not be seen or heard. Peace had finally come.

This week is a time of celebration for me. Eight years ago, God blessed us with a new beginning. I am reminded of God’s faithfulness. I am overwhelmed by His peace.

Life still has it’s struggles, and we have our share. But when we begin to feel overwhelmed, pushed under the waves, and tossed in the turbulence, we still have our praise! The Lord has been so good, and has brought us through so much. We can never thank Him enough, so our praise will continue in the good times and in the bad times! It isn’t always easy, but it is always necessary.

Psalm 91:5-6
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;
Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

Psalm 91:10
There shall no evil befall thee,
Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Psalm 34:1-4
I will bless the Lord at all times:
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord:
The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.