The Battle Before the Breakthrough

The last five years working at Rock Bottom Ranch have been an incredible blessing in my life. After fifteen painful years of addiction that included over fifty arrests, God supernaturally set me free in 2008. Having the privilege to work with these ladies as they overcome their own battles with addiction—just as I did—has been a gift I cherish every day.

     While I absolutely love my work here and had no intention of leaving, the Lord started stirring my heart about something new late last year. By February of this year, I received clear confirmation of the specific path He wants me to take in creating a transitional program and home for girls exiting foster care. I was so excited to jump in and build something new with the Lord. I began to plan and take steps to launch this exciting new ministry. Then, almost immediately, the attacks started coming, in my body, in my family, in our finances, and also on the woman of God I am going to be partnering with in this assignment. There have been many relentless assaults from the enemy.     

One thing I have learned for certain since I started walking faithfully with the Lord is that when you are about to step into your greatest blessing or victory, or if God has called you to take new territory for His Kingdom, the enemy always attacks the hardest. Satan will also try to send "hindering spirits" to cause sudden mental exhaustion, physical fatigue, confusion, or strife within your inner circle right before your breakthrough. This is a clear sign that you are on the path God has called you to. The devil rarely targets those who are spiritually idle. Instead, heavy opposition is a counter-attack. The enemy only fights what threatens him, meaning your current battle is validation that you are entering an important, God-led transition or breakthrough.    

We see this exact pattern in the life of Jesus. Before He performed a single miracle or began His public ministry, He was led into the wilderness for forty days of fasting and intense temptation. The timing was strategic. The enemy didn't attack Jesus while He lived quietly in Nazareth; he launched his assault precisely when Jesus was about to step into His divine destiny. The wilderness was a counter-attack because the devil recognized the threat Jesus posed to the kingdom of darkness. But Jesus overcame by the Word of God, emerging "in the power of the Spirit" (Luke 4:14). His story proves that the intensity of your battle reflects the magnitude of your next season. The enemy isn't fighting where you used to be; he is fighting where you are about to go.  

We can also see this in the life of Joseph, who received a God-given dream only to be betrayed by his envious brothers and thrown into a pit. Despite years of wrongful imprisonment and hardship, that very pit became the path to his destiny. Ultimately, God elevated him to rule over all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. Genesis 50:20 says, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  

   And lastly, let’s look at the life of David, who was anointed to be king but immediately faced a wall of opposition, starting with the giant Goliath. Even after that victory, he spent years running for his life, hiding in caves from a jealous King Saul. Yet, every trial only sharpened his character and leadership, ultimately positioning him to take the throne and become Israel’s greatest king.      Spiritual attack is not proof that God has abandoned you. It is proof that the enemy is terrified of the call on your life. If the enemy is attacking your life, ministry, or business, stand firm and press into God harder than ever. He will get you through and lead you to victory. Once you have won the battle, you’ll be stronger on the other side, more effective in your purpose, and more dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.        

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

Written by: Ginger Brown