I decided to trust that what God had spoken over my life was still true—even here, even now.
Then, without thinking, without planning, I shouted.
“The strangers shall hear my voice and obey!”
“I command you to come out!”
The words left my mouth before fear could stop me. Even now, I don’t know where that confidence came from. It felt like I wasn’t fully in control, like something stronger than me had taken over.
I laughed—a sharp, fearless laugh—and said,
“Don’t make me repeat myself. Come out. Now.”
And then they appeared.
One by one, standing before me in a straight line. My heart pounded as I stepped closer, dragging my sword along the ground. Sparks flew with each scrape, echoing through the silence. I could feel their fear, almost tasting it. They didn’t look powerful anymore. They looked… small.
“For three sins against me, even for four, I will not relent,” I said, my voice steady.
Then I attacked.
I kicked fear hard, sending it sprawling across the floor. It looked shocked. I didn’t stop. I grabbed it, spun it, and threw it into the wall. It screamed, but the other demons turned away, hissing at it in disgust. Its red eye, once fierce and threatening, now trembled with fear.
So even fear can be afraid, I thought.
I attacked again, letting every ounce of anger I’d stored pour through my sword.
“For God has not given me the spirit of fear!” I shouted.
“In the name of Jesus—be gone!”
The blade pierced through fear, and it vanished, leaving behind only green smoke and a bitter, acrid stench.
The others hesitated, trying to escape. At first, they couldn’t move. I walked among them slowly, my sword tracing lazy circles in the air, deciding who would be next.
Then I stopped in front of despair.
“You’re next,” I said.
I saw its fear. I had the advantage. But suddenly, a thought flickered across my mind:
What if this victory was just luck?
What if fear isn’t really gone?
What if it comes back?
My confidence wavered. My grip on the sword weakened.
And in that instant, the other demons scattered, melting into shadows. They were gone.
I stood there, chest heaving and my heart pounding. Then, I smiled. Victory. Not complete, but it was enough for now. They wouldn’t bother me again… at least, not today.
Who knew I had that in me?
I threw my head back and walked with my shoulders high, proud of myself. For a fleeting moment, I thought, I really did that.
Then I heard a whisper, soft enough that I almost missed it:
“Careful. Not by power, nor by might.”
Immediately, my shoulders slumped.
Deep down, I knew the truth. It wasn’t me.
I could still feel the Holy Spirit guiding me.
“Thank You,” I whispered.
And then I saw Him.
Jesus.
He was smiling at me like a proud father, eyes shining with something I could only describe as pure love.
“Come,” He said. “There’s more I need to show you.”
We began walking.
The path narrowed, lined with thorns that clawed at my ankles. I tried to avoid them, but I stepped on one. Pain shot through my foot, sharp and unforgiving.
I stopped, frustrated.
Jesus was the Way. He knew the way. Of all the paths He could have chosen, why this one? I had just finished fighting fear. I had just won. I should’ve been resting, catching my breath, savoring the victory. Not walking through pain. Not struggling again.
I pulled my hand from His when He reached for me. I didn’t understand why He would take me through this. He didn’t say a word. He let me walk alone.
Every step was worse than the last. My feet throbbed and bruised. I couldn’t go any farther. I stopped and turned.
He was still there, watching me, His face full of compassion.
“Do you need Me now?” He asked gently.
“Please… help me,” I said.
He stepped beside me and took my hand.
“Why?” I asked. “Why this path?”
He smiled and led me to a rock. “Here, rest. Let me treat your wounds.”
He bent to bandage my bruised feet. “Did you know you are impatient? That you lose your temper easily? You threw a fist a while ago.”
“I surprised myself,” I admitted, smiling despite the pain.
“I’m glad you’ve learned you can lean on Me,” He said.
Then He reminded me:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”
I asked, “Is this like an obstacle course?”
He laughed softly. “The end goal of an obstacle course is a prize. If your soul is worth more than any prize, would you expect the challenges to be easy?”
I stayed quiet, knowing the answer.
“Hard situations show you who you really are,” He continued. “And today, you learned how much you need Me. Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. I would never lead you through difficulty without a reason. You just have to trust My love.”
And in that moment, I understood.