Stand Strong When Words and Weapons Attack
- Vonyee K. Carrington
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgement You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord.” — Isaiah 54:17 NKJV
I've decided January is one of my least favorite months. Most people think it is a great month of new beginnings, new goals, and new possibilities. For me, January has been a month of fasting, self-evaluation, and regrets. The regrets from the past year come crowding in. They whisper in my ear, “You're a failure. You're not good enough. God doesn’t love you. If he did, then your life would be different. You'll never change, and it goes on and on.”
The whispers turn into condemnation and depression. Every interaction with others feels hard. My mistakes seem magnified. My esteem drops lower. I’ve experienced this over the years. However, this year, it was worse. I couldn’t climb out of the hole. I know that I’ve climbed out of the hole before. But how? I cried out to God, “How do I make it through this time?”
The answer came in another kind of whisper—a still small voice that said, “Listen to Fred Hammond.” The instructions made sense because, when I was a new believer, this musician's music played constantly—everywhere: my car, at home, and at work. As I looked back on those days, I remembered why his songs drew me back from the darkness of depression. They represented hope in God's promise to protect us. I searched my phone for my favorite song, “No Weapon.” I listened, and healing began.
When I'm in a season of solitude, waiting, and despair, Fred Hammond’s scripture-based music taught me five things:
1. During despair, it’s important to draw near to God. James 4:8 tells us to “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (NKJV). I seek God. He comes near. The newfound intimacy with God leads to inner healing.
2. In the silence and solitude of drawing near to God comes self-discovery and repentance. God reveals my sins. Because I love Him and want to please God, I repent of my sins. I renounce the sins I willfully committed and the ones I unknowingly committed.
3. This time of drawing near and repentance ushers me into worship. In God’s presence, my fears and concerns are laid to rest. In God’s presence, He “makes known to me the path of life; in His presence there is fullness of joy; and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore”(Psalm 16:11).
4. Recalling Isaiah 54:17 moves me to praise God. I am moved to dance as David danced in 2 Samuel 6:11. I celebrate God’s goodness in my life.
5. The celebration of God’s goodness allows me to throw off the heaviness of the things I didn’t accomplish in the last season. I can also focus on the current assignment tasks.
These steps help me focus on the present, not on the past. God’s peace settles in my heart and mind. John 14:27 (NIV) says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for drawing near to me and for loving me enough to guide me as I overcome my fears, regrets, and mistakes. Jesus, thank you for reminding me of Your goodness and mercy. As I celebrate and praise You, may my focus and purpose be renewed. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you found it hard to focus as this new year has started? Will you choose to draw near to God in your despair and loneliness? If not, why? If so, are you worshipping after you repent?
Reference: Hammond, Fred. “No Weapon.” Track 3 on Purpose by Design. Verity Records, 2000.