Speaking Against It (Emily Davis)

I had heard it said time and time again but it almost felt too far off to believe. I had struggled with worry and doubt so how could I possibly stand in agreement with God to speak against such things? My faith truly started to grow and be challenged when I got married (early 20s) and has since been challenged consistently. In all honesty, I don’t believe our faith should ever stop being challenged. 

As the year of 2025 is coming to an end and we come upon the Christmas season, I am reminded of last Christmas and the true foundation of speaking against all thoughts that are not from God to help me walk through 2025. Christmas of 2024 was a lot different for us. We usually do all the things with all the people. We have so many traditions that I love and cherish but this Christmas was different because we got hit with sickness. I can’t even remember what we had but we all had it. It was not fun and we missed every single tradition except for two because one was looking at lights from our car and the other was a family celebration that got moved. It was really hard. I cried a lot but, in hindsight, it was such a special Christmas being home with just our little family with lots of gift deliveries. While I was down and struggling, that wasn’t what challenged my faith. My faith was challenged when my two year old son wasn’t getting better. He had been sick for about two weeks. We took him back to the doctor and found out he had two more viruses- one that could lead to a really scary infection. It was really overwhelming to be quite honest. Not only were we trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive, we all felt bad and then my son who was normally full of life was still struggling. The night of Christmas, he got lethargic. We had only had him on his new meds for a day or two but I was starting to panic. I had no idea what to do. I was talking back and forth with my husband, best friend and mom. They all were trying to help me but I got even more overwhelmed until finally I said to my husband, “I need you to hold him while I take a shower alone and talk to God.” I could just feel the anxiety mounting and my mind running a million directions. Was it better to take him to the ER? Did he need it? Should I wait it out? What is the best decision? I needed to get alone and away from communication with people so that I could communicate with my Father who loves me deeply and guides me but also loves my son more than I ever could. 

I got in the shower and prayed. I didn’t have worship music or anything. I just kept repeating this prayer: God, You have not given me a spirit of fear but one of power, love and sound judgement. Right now I need Your sound judgement. I kid you not…I prayed that same prayer probably 20 times until my mind and heart finally slowed down. Speaking against the fear in my heart and asking God to give me His sound judgement was the calming of the storm within my mind. 

Since then, I have practiced this tactic more. I would be lying if I told you that I was perfect at it but I have been proactive in it. I try to find verses to help me combat the lies of the enemy so my heart/mind can dwell on God’s Words. I wanted to share some with you below. 

Scripture to pray as you speak against…

Fear/Anxiety: 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27) 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Isolation: 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) 

The Feeling of Failure: 

O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. (Psalm 25:2)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13) 

Disappointment: 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Feeling Lost: 

Psalm 23

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13) 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7) 

My biggest encouragement would be to get in the Word so that these can be imprinted on your heart. When going through something, capture the thought that is hurting you (2 Corinthians 10:5) then look up the subject so you can find a verse to walk through it with you. Repeat it over and over until you believe it.