Whew, talk about powerful! You can listen to the song and easily relate it to the story of salvation. But, if you are like me, you listen to the song and your mind travels elsewhere. I think of all the times the enemy thought he had me trapped. I remember all the times he had me backed into a corner with seemingly no way out. I think of all the times I felt defeated, boxed in and beat up.

I have shared openly about my struggle with anxiety and depression with many of you. When I think of this song, I think of the past year and all it held. It was hands down the hardest year of my life. I struggled most of 2022 with fear, anxiety and depression. We also had a child dealing with several serious issues, and for their privacy, I won’t share those specifics.

Many times, I thought these issues were going to be the end of me mentally. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. These issues caused me many times to cry out to the God of Creation and beseech His mercy with all I could muster. He never failed to show up in those moments, and all I could do in His presence was weep. Those moments were so hard in a visceral way, but I wouldn’t change it even if I could. I would spend a thousand days crying just to know Him. I know some of you get it.

The enemy thought he had me. But good King Jesus wasn’t letting me go. He wasn’t forgetting me or my child. He heard every prayer, every cry and saw the fragile condition of my heart. He didn’t leave me to fend for myself. No, He busted down the door and shined His light into the darkness.

Through the power of His Holy Spirit, He brought Scripture alive again in my heart. When I felt utterly defeated and done, He whispered to me, “Get up! I am alive and well.” He called me out of the tomb, called the warrior out of the grave and shook the dust off of me. He put His name and word in my mouth, burning like a fire, to be spoken over every stronghold and broken area.

He began a miraculous and steady work in my child. He began to settle my mind, clear the darkness and spring forth new life. His hand was clearly visible, and I again wept from pure relief and gratitude.

Sometimes, the struggle is so large and looming, we can’t see anything else beyond it. It can be hard to know how to pray. With such a great need, it’s hard to even know where to start.

Start with Jesus. Speak the name of Jesus over every area that is broken. His name breaks every stronghold, and brings life to what the darkness seeks to destroy. Speaking the name of Jesus, and cementing yourself in Scripture will bring you closer to God and will cause a shift in your focus in your mind and spirit.

Do this, and I promise you, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). It’s a miracle to experience the peace of God when all around you seems to be crumbling. God is so good to help us!

Let me leave you with this, and let this sink in your heart: the enemy may think he has you, but Jesus publicly declared to the world that you belong to Him. Never forget it.