Are you feeling overwhelmed?  You are not alone!

Romans 8:18, 22-25 (NKJV)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.  23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.  24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?  25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

It is not wrong to admit how we feel; God does not call us to be in denial.  He does, however, call us to stand with Him against the feelings of the flesh which arise as a response to satan’s working in the world and in our lives.  He calls us to declare His Truth in the face of the enemy’s lies.

Satan would have us believe that he is winning, and much of what we see around us would support that.  The TRUTH is that he has already lost; his doom was assured the moment Jesus spoke from the cross, “It is finished.”  Nontheless he still wars against us, and he enlists men who will follow him in that battle.  Who can be against us?  Practically anyone: men, governments, nations, empires, demons, and satan himself.  The real question asked in Romans 8:31 is, who OF ANY CONSEQUENCE can be against us?  Who can defeat us?  Who can change the outcome of Christ’s victory over sin in the life of any believer?

The answer is: no one; nothing; not even satan himself.

Romans 8:31-39 (NKJV)
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.  34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.  35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do I know exactly what God desires in every specific detail of this life, or even of this day? I do not, but when I pray I do not pray alone. The Holy Spirit – who DOES know exactly what God desires – prays with me, prays for me, and intercedes for me: He fills in the gap between my limited life/understanding and the omniscience of our all-loving Father.

He does the same for you, as well. That’s why all things work together for good!

Romans 8:26-28 (NKJV)
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.