Crash! Swish! Clang! Crack! The sound of metallic blades fills the room. Once again, I'm facing one of my worst opponents: Fear. I wish to run, but there's no way out of this room! I face my opponent. I try not to look into his eyes, knowing the consequences all to well. I try to concentrate on the fight.
“You worthless girl!” he hisses. “Do you really think that anyone would want to be your friend? You're nothing but a freak! An outcast! You fail at everything you do!” he shouts as we rain blows on each other.
“Lord, help me! Give me the strength to continue the fight,” I pray while deflecting another pass.
He continues his ravings, “Do you really think that He would help someone like you? It's fool's hope! Garbage!” We separate swords and charge again. “There's no way you can defeat me!”
”On my own, I can't,” I reply. “However, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”
He falters for a minute. ” I've overpowered you before; I can do it again!” he cackles.
“ Greater is he that is in me than he who is in the world,” I shout as he raises his sword to strike. Again, he stumbles, temporarily overpowered by the verses. He quickly recovers from the sudden jolt and strikes again.
“Lord, I need you! I can't keep this up much longer!” I cry as a sudden pass grazes my shoulder.
He cackles loudly, “Aha! Your weakening by the minute! Soon, I shall be victorious.”
“ They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They shall walk and not ... be faint,”
He acts as if he'll try to hit my shoulder again. I prepare for the blow. He changes direction as I strike out with all my might. Instead of hitting my still throbbing shoulder, he strikes me hard across the thigh. His blow sends me crashing to the floor and sends my sword flying to the other side of the arena. I lay there, dazed. I realize that I could never reach my weapon before my opponent reaches me. That's when it happens. I turn my head towards him, and our eyes locked. I am instantly paralyzed by the overwhelming tide of all my worst fears as they flood my mind. I try with all my might to push them away, but my efforts prove fruitless. Not again! I cry inside.
He flashes a sickening grin as he cackles, “ Your demise is eminent. I again am victorious!” He raises his sword for the final blow.
“ Lord,” I pray,”Save me!”
Just as my opponent is about to carry out my death sentence, the villain suddenly drops his sword and reels back, shading his face as a strong light floods the room from behind me.
A voice calls out,” Leave her alone, Demon!”
I look behind me to see my Savior enter the arena. Light radiates from his armor.
“You can do nothing more to her.” He stands in front of me with His sword drawn, ready to defend me.
My opponent rages, “Curses! This isn't the end. It's just the beginning! I'll get you next time!” With that, the demon vanishes.
My Lord turns around and extends His hand to help me up.
“Thank you!” I exclaim as He helps me up.
“You are very welcome,” He replies.
“I'm sorry I failed you,”
“You didn't fail me.”
“But, I lost. Fear overpowered me again!” I lament as I hang my head.
“That's what these trials are for! To help strengthen you, so you can defeat those fears. To help you to complete the mission I've prepared for you. And,” He retrieves my lost weapon. “ How to use this better.”
“ I know, but it seems so hard.”
“ I know that you can't do it on your own. That's why I'm here to help you. My strength is made perfect in your weakness. The trust you have in me along with the scriptures you learn will help you.” “Do you ever get tired of having to swoop in and save the day?”
“No. I love you, and I don't want anything to happen to you. I gave my life for you so we can be together forever. I have a special plan that I designed just for you to do. But, to do it to the best of your ability, you'll need to endure these trials.”
“ What is my special mission?” I ask for the umpteenth time.
He smiles and replies, “You know that I can't tell you that. Tell Me, if you knew the exact questions on a test, would it be hard or easy?”
“Easy.”
“Exactly. If you knew exactly what you would do in life, what choices you would have to face, and the temptations that would come your way, life would also be easy. It's easy to say what you would do in a certain situation, but it's harder to act on it. These trials are to help you understand what to do in a difficult circumstance and why.”
He holds me close in a warm embrace. “Soon, I'm going to come back and take you to live with me, forever. I'm making a very special place just for you.”
“Any hints on when you're coming back?”
“Soon.” My Savior says. “Very soon.” He takes my hand in His. “Come, My child. This trial is over.” As we exit, I know that harder trials are coming, but I know that I don't need to fear them. My Savior will always help me when I need it, and He can do the same for you.

i can't describe how true this is. God bless you. fear is just a nother tool of satan that is all too easy for God to beat for you with faith

thank you.

this story is so awesome and so true. gives me hope, i am going through a trial at this moment. this is awesome

thanks.

win.

why is there a tombstone under my name?

This post has been edited by Techno Panda: Oct 7 2009, 07:51 PM

Yeah, it's the game thing that's going on. I've been getting killed too.

you really like this story? i have others, but they're kinfa a series of stories I wrote for the kids on Codebearers. Broke 100 pages in my story thread there this week. Firs tkid to do so.

ohs a fanfic? I used to write anime fanfics xD not the horrible teeny bopper love fanfics. Just stuff I thought would be interesting if it happened in the storyline.

And yush. I did like it.

X.x I lose.

Not exactly a fanfic. It;s more like something of my own design.

This is a pretty good story, and very true. Makes me want to read some more.

Keep writing. Very inspirational.

I could post some of my other stuff.

I open my eyes to find a far too familiar sight. I can hardly believe what I see. The grey stone walls streaked with soot. The torn banners hanging from the ceiling. Once again, I'm in the arena. As before, with no way out. Oh, no, I groan inwardly. How did I get here again? Who am I to face this time? I slowly turn 360 to find my adversary. I unsheathe my sword as I do. I grip the handle tightly, trying to be ready for anything.
“Lord,” I quietly pray. “I don't know why I'm here. I don't know what I will find here. Please protect me and help me with whatever I am to face. I trust you and your promise to never leave nor forsake me. Amen.”
Just as I finish praying, something tells me to turn and raise my sword. I do so just in time to deflect a death blow. I meet my nemesis' glare with one of my own. This demon doesn't look the same as Fear. This one seems more terrifying in appearance and strength. I struggle to hold onto my sword as he throws his weight upon his. A wicked smile spreads across his scarred lips.
“Welcome home, brat!” he hisses as we separate.
“This is not my home. I am not of this world.”
“You've been missed.”
“Sorry, I don't feel the same.”
He rains a fury of blows upon me. I work double time to defend myself. With each new blow, a new prayer for strength, for courage, for peace, for hope.
“Do you really think He'll hear you?” the fiend asks as he strikes at me again.
“'When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.'” I answer.
“Who said you were 'righteous'? That book you quote states 'All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.' What makes you think he'll come through for you?”
A sudden pang in my chest causes me to fall back. I just do block the next blow. Though the discomfort eases away, it isn't fully gone.
“ 'Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.' I trust my Savior to help me. He will never let me down.”
“Yes, but you have let him down. Him and many others.”
Pain rips away at my chest again. With every strike of my enemy's sword, another reminder of how I slipped up.
“There was that chore you overlooked.” >Clang< “The assignment you failed.” >Swish< “Your temper you lost.” >Crash< “The promise you forgot to fulfill.” >Clank< “The time you didn't pray.” >Crash< “The lies you told. The grudges you've kept.” >Clang< “I don't see how anyone can put up with you. You're a failure through and through! All you do is let others down. Even yourself!”
I fight the tears and the pain in my heart as the blows come fast and furious. Yes, lately I had been feeling like a failure. Thoughts of past and present slip-ups had been coming back to me. I knew I wasn't a failure, but I felt like it all the same. It hurt so badly. I had no hope whatsoever of ever getting out of this slump. I had asked God to help me with these feelings of despair and failure. I thought they were gone, but they were only hiding beneath the surface, waiting to be used against me.
“I was forgiven for all those things. They were cast as far as east is from west.”
“They may be, but you'll continue to be this way. No one can ever truly change. You were a failure and you’ll stay one as long as you live!” He slashes at my fighting hand, leaving a large gash on my wrist and causing me to drop my sword. The combined pains of my wrist and chest force me to my knees. Tears threaten to spill as despair consumes me.
“'My soul is weary with sorrow;'” I whisper. “'Strengthen me according to your word.'”
My enemy raises his cruel sword above my head. “Why not end this suffering here and now? Not only yours but those you let down. Do God a favor.”
I stare up at the instrument of my death. Should I just get this over with? Would everyone be better off without me? Would I really be doing God a favor? I almost say “yes”. I stare into the eyes of my foe.
“'I will not die,'” I begin. “' but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.'”
The demon's face twists with rage. “We shall see about that!” he screeches.
“'My eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge--do not give me over to death!'” I shout.
“Shut up!” The brute rages as he tries to run me through.
“'Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.'”
“Zip it!”
“'My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!'”
“Be quiet!” He tries to bring down his sword, but an invisible force keeps it in place. With each verse, I feel my strength renewed. I try to fight the pain and stand.
“'Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up!”
“Stop it!”
“'Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings!'”
“That's enough!” the fiend screams as he drops his weapon and writhes upon the floor.
“'Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me!'”
“I said that's enough..” The voice trails off as the demon vanishes. I stare at the place my adversary was. The pain in my chest grows greater. I sink to the floor in agony. The foe was gone, but I felt wounded all the same. The pain had subdued me. I had failed again. My tears flow freely as unconsciousness takes its hold on me. Just before I fade out, I hear footsteps. I don't care if it’s another enemy. Let him do with me as he wishes.
…...................
When I awake, the first thing I notice is the sensation of being cradled. I open my eyes to find my Savior's face. His eyes show both relief and concern.
Sadness overtakes me again at the thought of losing again.
“I'm so-” With the despair, the pain in my chest returns.
“Shhh. 'Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears.'” He rocks me gently in his arms as a mother would to comfort her child. Soon, the sorrow and the hurt fade away.
“What happened?” I asked.
“You were wounded.”
“I know he got my wrist, but how-”
“He wounded your heart.”
“My heart? How did he?”
“This isn't the first time you've felt bad about failing others. The hurts from the past, the 'old wounds', were there. All he had to do was to say the right words. Just as My word subdued him, his words almost killed you.”
“I didn't even know that was possible,” I comment weakly.
“Wounds of the heart may not be visible, but they can be just as life threatening.”
“Will they...ever go away?”
“They’ll never completely be gone. The scars will always be there.” Sorrow threatens to take me again.
“So, I'm doomed to be a failure?” A tear slips down my face as the pain returns.
“No, you are not a failure. You never have been. I never make failures. You may slip up, but that's to be expected. When you're sad or feel bad because you have failed, 'come to me, and I will give you rest.' 'As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.'”
Hope fills my heart as I hear these words. “'O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress,'” I whisper.
My Lord lifts me in his arms. “Come, dear one, this trial is over.”
As before, a way out appears for us. All I want to do now is rest. I feel safe for I know that my life and my heart are safe in the arms of my Savior.

Bladebearer, I'm in tears!

Our God has gifted you with an amazing ability to put into words the struggles of the spirit; thank you for posting this Also, it makes clear to us that the war we wage against sin is not a make-believe game, it is real: there are victors and losers - we cannot afford to shirk our duty or pretend that the battle is not real. That is the devil's chief weapon against us: how can we be victorious (in the strength of the Spirit) if we do not even believe in there is a literal war between God's good and the devil's evil?

Jesus loves us. Amazing. There are no words for it.

If we rely on His strength and are obedient to His faithful teachings, the devil CANNOT, WILL NOT, win for "the battle is the Lord's"! Amen! Hallelujah!

I agrre.

thanks, you two.

i was reading what you've posted, bladebearer, and i had to stop for a minute. your prose is amazing. the funny part is that it reminds me of what i was writing a couple years ago: not just the style but the subject matter too. don't ever give up your gift for words! writing is such a powerful way to point people to our Savior and share how He guides us in our worldly struggles so we come out on top

thank you for your compliments. they help.

While I enjoyed both, I really like the second one because of this:



The enemy tells me the same thing all the time.

Bladebearer . . . I read your first post, and your second, and I am speechless. You have . . . an amazing talent for writing. Stylistically, it reminds me of the Chronicles of Narnia, or the Bloodstone Chronicles (formerly, Journeys to Fayrah).

Please, keep writing . . . I needed to read your posts. Just think about how many read them but do not comment. Thank you for reminding me what spiritual warfare is about.

Thanks, everyone.

Colors streaking across the sky
As day meets night.
Lights at war
Over the earth.
Sun's blood spilled as
The moon conquers the sky
World goes silent as
Night begins its reign.
Stars change guard
Over the rugged terrain.
Whispers
Wonderings of where
The sun has gone.
All is still
As all mourn the
Sun.

I found that to be a very good story!
Keep going you're a great writer.

thanks.