Since You Been Gone

The devil attacks when you’re vulnerable. Always. Make no mistake.

I’ve heard stories of people experiencing demon attacks – the horrible things they’ve seen and heard.

It is so very difficult to believe. You say, “Yah…Ok. Sure.” But in your mind, you don’t really believe them. You’re rolling your eyes. They want attention….They’re having some sort of medical episode that can be explained away by science.

That’s exactly what I thought. Absolutely – 100%.

Until…it happened to me.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8

It happened twice – very close together in days.

This night, it was around 3:00 a.m. and I had just let the puppies out to potty. I laid down – I went into that state (where you feel like you’re asleep), but I could still here my dog (Bowser) shaking and scratching his ears. Ergo – I was awake. I was relaxed and ready for sleep.

Then – I felt the bed move. Like, someone had crawled onto it. I heard the creak.

I FELT the depressions in the mattress. It happened on either side of me – like someone was slowly crawling up my body. I could not move – I could not open my eyes – but I could still hear Bowser, so I knew I was awake.

Don’t get me wrong – And, I’m interjecting here as someone who has worked in the medical field. I’ve also talked to those in the medical field about this. Here’s the response you will get – or your brain will say – “You experienced sleep paralysis:

Trust me – It crossed my mind. I thought EXACTLY that in my mind during this experience. But I know that was not what was happening.

I felt the pillow depress next to my head.

And then, something growled in my ear.

And then, something growled in my ear.

In that moment, I only knew of ONE thing. The ONLY thing that the devil will flee from. So…I prayed.

I could not move or open my eyes – but I prayed in my mind. “God, please help. Please help. Jesus, please, please, help me!”

I felt the breath of the creature in my ear during it’s growls. I felt the warmth of it. I felt it holding me down. I knew I was in presence of something awful – not of this world.

During my prayers, the growling slowly stopped. Suddenly, I could hear my sound machine again (the sound of rain). I didn’t even realize that sound had ceased until it was back again.

I slowly opened my eyes and moved my limbs again. And I said, “Thank you, God.”

I didn’t even realize that sound had ceased until it was back again.

I don’t know what brought that evil to me.

I do know my late husband traveled and went to many countries around the world – and many of the thing he brought back were packed upstairs in boxes. Untouched – for years. I had not unpacked them yet – I wasn’t ready. If could have been something evil that was brought into the house from somewhere else. I don’t know.

I was told by some other people (who had stayed in my house) that they saw someone upstairs staring at them. A woman in a white dress. But, I don’t believe in ghosts.

I do, however, believe in demons. I know I was visited by one – and I believe one was residing in the house just waiting for it’s time to attack.

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THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU

What is the point of this?

Perhaps…don’t allow old artifacts of unknown origin reside in your house? Sure..100%. It’s a good rule of thumb, in any case.

But in truth – the power of Jesus name was enough to drive away evil. Whether you believe what happened to me was real – or just sleep paralysis – just saying Jesus name and asking Him for help- it literally blew away the darkness suppressing me.

And that is all I need to know.

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PLAYLIST

What’s your impossible? Your “I need a miracle”
What’s got you barely hanging by a single thread?
What looks so hopeless now? What weighs down your heart with doubt?
You beg for a breakthrough, but no sign of breakthrough yet

When you’ve cried, and you’ve cried ’til your tears run dry
The answer won’t come, and you don’t know why
And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time

Don’t stop praying
Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name
Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door
And let your knees wear out the floor
Don’t stop believing
‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith
And your Father’s heard every single word you’re saying
So, don’t stop praying

He’s close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
The Alpha and Omega knows how your story ends

When you’ve cried, and you’ve cried ’til your tears run dry
The answer won’t come, and you don’t know why
And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time
Oh, do it one more time

And don’t stop praying
Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name
Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door
And let your knees wear out the floor
Don’t stop believing
‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith
And your Father’s heard every single word you’re saying
So, don’t stop praying

Oh-oh
(Don’t stop, don’t stop praying) oh, don’t stop praying
(Don’t stop, don’t stop praying)
Oh-oh

Don’t stop praying for the prodigal
Don’t stop praying for the miracle
Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen
Don’t stop praying that addictions end
Don’t stop praying for deliverance
Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen

Oh, don’t stop praying for the sickness healed
Don’t stop praying for His power revealed
Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen
No, don’t stop praying for the Kingdom come
Don’t stop praying that His will be done
Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen

Don’t stop praying
Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name
Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door
Let your knees wear out the floor
Don’t stop believing
‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith
And your Father’s heard every single word you’re saying
So, don’t stop praying

oh, don’t stop praying
(Don’t stop, don’t stop praying) hey, don’t you give up now
No, don’t stop praying

– Don’t Stop Praying (Matthew West)