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According to the dictionary, the word surrounded means “a thing that forms a border or edging around an object.” This season of our lives my husband and I have started taking inventory of those things and people that surround us. Those things can include stress, worry, busyness, illness, overwhelm and exhaustion. Those people can include anyone you allow a front row seat to your life – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Now, I ask you, what and who are you surrounded by in this season? If I am being honest, this deep dive into creating a life filled with peace and less chaos doesn’t come without a price. Taking inventory and stock in this journey to become all that God has called you to be is costly and will more than likely cause you to question many things along the way. Was it worth it? Was the time and energy lost? Did I make a mistake? Did I not hear God? There can be so much uncertainty when you begin to open your eyes as to what you have allowed to form a border around your life. This week my husband and our family were hit with news no son wants to hear, but in these moments of uncertainty our family has been surrounded by encouraging words and mighty prayers from those who God has placed. It was in their outpouring of love that I realized how easy it is to forget how important it is to make sure you are sowing into those who you have chosen to hold the line when things get rough.

This army of angels we are surrounded by know it’s not about this attack of the enemy, but more about the resilience in the midst of adversity we’ve been facing as a family and the need for just a little pause. As we spent a beautiful evening at my sister’s cabin overlooking the mountains, I was reminded just how much small those mountains seem when looking from above. God sees your mountain, He sees the illness or disease, He knows the fear and He hears the cries, but you must remember that He is above it all. It is not about who is standing next to you when you reach the top of the climb (God is already there), but it’s whose holding up your arms in the midst of the valley that matter most.

Those are the people who will lower you down to Jesus when you are unable to do it yourself just like in Luke 5:19-20. It was because of this paralyzed man’s friends that he was healed – “And when He saw their faith, He said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” If you are struggling in this season, I encourage you to take a peek at your circle. Are you surrounding yourself with people and things that lift you up, encourage your spirit man, speak life and not death, bring joy, create peace and more than anything points your troubled heart to Jesus?

The biggest battle is fought in the mind as we continuously wrestle the lies of the enemy, and there is never a more important time than now to surround yourself with the light, truth and victory of Christ. You don’t have to endure this season of darkness alone – know that as Dennis and I walk forward into this battle ourselves with our swords drawn, we will also lift up a prayer for everyone reading this column today. If you feel as though you are surrounded with death and darkness, rest knowing that there is one god fearing couple who have surrounded you with a prayer of life and light in every corner of your heart today! 

“As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about His people from henceforth even forever.” Psalm 125:2.

Blessings,

Kayla