BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR LEADERS AND AUTHORITY
I see depression, tiredness, lack of motivation and concentration, brain fog, and overall physical infirmity increasing among many due to the buildup of stress. This is not only affecting us collectively as a nation due to the ongoing spiritual and natural warfare in recent months, but individually as many are feeling the strain on a personal level.
Ever since the 2020 election, we as a people have been undergoing unexpected and dramatic changes to our routines – little by little – month by month. The upheaval in the nation has hit everyone at some level. Whether it’s been financial, medical, political, or otherwise, everyone has been impacted by the breakdown of what was once considered normal. This ongoing pressure has been slow and steady without any seeming break. And many are now experiencing the mental, emotional, and physical consequence of the spiritual battles at hand. And the Lord is calling out the source of our ailments.
Battle fatigue: “A common response to the mental and emotional strain that can result from dangerous and traumatic experiences…a natural reaction to the wear and tear of the body and mind after extended and demanding operations.” (From militaryonesource.mil)
When I heard this term while in prayer the other day, I knew the Lord wanted us to recognize this condition. Why? Because we’re in a time of war. Not only a spiritual war, but a war that is technological, psychological, and pathological. A war of the mind and soul with the enemies of God targeting our psyches and senses in hopes of immobilizing our hope and faith. It has been a war long-planned and intended for the long play. Aiming to take down those who fear God and value the sacred, this warfare has been doing great damage. But by recognizing the source and its purpose, the Lord is instructing us in how to deal with it and overcome it. Not only personally, but collectively.
Not only is battle fatigue the result of enduring extended times of warfare, it also feeds on disappointments and unmet expectations. When going through long seasons without any seeming breakthrough, one begins to lose hope and any sense of purpose. The Lord showed me that many are under a spirit of depression due to this kind of battle fatigue. Unanswered prayers and unfulfilled promises are wearing down even the most diligent warriors. Using all their reserves to simply get through another day, many have become spiritually and mentally numb, void of any inspiration or drive. Some have even been made sick. And this is exactly what the enemy has wanted.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire (longing, delight) fulfilled is a tree of life.
But even as this sickness of the soul is being felt, so is the Holy Spirit going to turn this around for something incredible. The Restorer of our souls is coming with deliverance in His hands to free us from all that has held us down. He is preparing the way for a healing of souls that will bring great deliverance to the land.
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book. (Psalms 56:8 NLT)
I believe many will even go through a period of mourning for all that has been lost – for there has been loss. Great loss, on many levels. Our Great Physician knows that our physical bodies often store up pent up traumas and disappointments which can cause many sicknesses and diseases. I believe part of the coming healing revival will be due to emotions being unlocked and souls being set free to allow the unresolved pains of the past to give voice and settle their case. This mourning will not be unto sadness or disappointment, but a release of the Father’s heart. He has been gathering our tears in His bottle and has grieved with us in silence. There will come a time when these losses will be released as Perfect Love pours into our hearts and souls to displace hopelessness and despair. This will then pave the way for Gladness and Joy to emerge.
To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion - to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.
For those who feel you may be experiencing battle fatigue, allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you. Take the time to be in His presence and let the oil of His Spirit flow through your entire being to bring the needed strength and stamina to endure. This is but a season and this battle is short-term. Recognize the enemy’s voice and take captive those thoughts that rob you of God’s power and presence. Do not allow your circumstances or symptoms to determine your reality. The Spirit within you will always have the advantage when you give Him first place and first priority.
Some of you need to step off the battlefield and go rest! Others need to partner with other believers to gain some strength and momentum. Still others need to let the Holy Spirit take you through a time of emotional healing and release.
Our warfare is not just about defeating our enemies, but becoming whole. Our endurance is not just about building character, but gaining spiritual stamina and supernatural authority that defeats every wicked scheme set against us. We will come through these battles stronger than ever before as fatigue gives way to dancing and mourning turns into joy.
Wanda has been in ministry for over 35 years as a worship leader, teacher, author, deliverance counselor, and speaker.
11 Responses
Thank you Wand for speaking to me on this article. I need to partner with other believers to gain strength and momentum. Thank you again! Blessings
Elyce
I really needed to hear this today. I have felt so alone and so down because of all that is going around me and our nation it’s as through I’m frozen. Now I have a name for it because of your message. Thank you so much
Thank you! That is eloquently said. Such rich insight – yes, this has been an exhausting battle.
I’ve been physically and emotionally exhausted. Times of intercession with fellow prayer warriors has been very helpful. The timing of this message, Wanda, is HOLY SPIRIT led…..no doubt in my mind. Thank you! Great is His Faithfulness! ❤️🙌🏽🔥🦅💪🏼
I have been standing alone for my promised miracle for months upon months, announced to me a decade ago. It has been the battle of a lifetime. Learning about faith for someone versus faith for oneself. I have never worked so hard to understand how to stand in this battle. I am beyond exhausted and I am alone.
So, excellent! Thank you, Wanda. I’ve read this twice. I know I will read it several times, more. I’ve had a chronic sinus malady for several months. It’s caused fatigue, brain fog and confusion. I’ve been trying to tackle a landscape project for the past month. Obviously, the sinuses become more irritated. I read your post earlier today. This afternoon, I wrote down several prayers and decrees regarding the tasks and prayer needs I’ve had coasting about in my spirit. Instead of asking the Lord to heal me, I commanded my body to heal in Jesus’ name. I just finished cleaning house and feel energized and optimistic about going outside to ‘move some earth around’. My sinus irritation is noticeably improved, and I’m confident the dirt work will be a productive effort. This experience is only a small microcosm of the day in the life. The more important concerns regarding the church, the body, our families, the government(s) are the true and lasting treasures for which we are warring. But the day-to-day mundane tasks have to be managed in the midst of our praying for all of those all important things. Thank you so much for ‘everything’ you do, Wanda. I hope you know you truly are a treasured blessing and Godsend. ❤️
I’m at a conference and feel so numb and wondered why. I believe you expressed it well. Another way of saying “battle fatigue” as well as hope deferred.
Needing more Grace.
Thank you for sharing this wisdom. The battle has gone on so long & has ramped up greatly. I decree & declare against the enemy almost daily but even tho I pray against backlash I feel hit physically if not in other areas. If you have advice on dealing with backlash, I would appreciate it very much. Thank you & God be with you in all you do.
Amen. I receive this word. It so aptly describes how I have been feeling
God revealed to me that I cannot become disappointed or I will “miss appointed” times and gifts. Disappointed means not appointed. Thanks for continuing to encourage us, each other, so that we do not become disappointed in things taking longer than we thought they would.
Thank you for your encouragement for battle fatigue, because that is where many of us are at this point, but Yeshua never wants us to give up. We are overcomers. If we need to take a rest, then do it!!!! Follow leading from Holy Spirit in the Secret Place and we shall be refreshed. I am one of those who needed this today!