Many years ago, my pastor preached a message that stuck with me: when God wants to remove something from us—like bad habits or negative traits—He often uses people to poke us. At first, I thought I understood this message, but I was interpreting it through my flesh. It wasn’t until God brought me through my own storm that the Word sank deep into my spirit and revealed its true meaning.
Until God’s Word gets into our spirits, it remains surface-level, dwelling in our flesh. It’s only when it truly takes root in our hearts that we can see its transformative power.
Have you ever felt like someone in your life was sent to test your patience? It might be more than that—it could be God working through the storm. Let me share my journey with you.
My Thorn in the Flesh
If you’ve read some of my posts, you may know about my nephew, who was a thorn in my side for several years after I wrote The Path of the Chosen Warriors. He was used by the enemy to weary me to the point of nearly giving up. I even wrote about learning to use the Shield of Faith during one of those encounters (read that post here).
For three years, God used my nephew to teach me vital lessons about spiritual warfare, transformation, and perseverance:
1. Praying Beyond the Physical
I learned to shift my prayers away from the person being used against me and focus instead on the spiritual forces behind the conflict. As Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in the heavens.”
When you realize the person troubling you is just a vessel, you’ll begin to understand that God is allowing them to expose what needs to come out of you—whether it’s anger, impatience, or pride.
2. Recognizing My Own Reactions
I started to pay attention to how I reacted when under attack. When my nephew would provoke me, I often got angry, shouted, or thought negative thoughts about him. I even took extreme measures, like going to the police, out of sheer frustration.
It was during these moments that I realized I wasn’t acting in a way that reflected Christ. God was using the situation to reveal hidden things in me—things I didn’t even know were there.
3. Praying for Transformation
When I saw the negative traits emerging in me, I began praying for transformation. I asked God to help me respond with love and self-control. Slowly, I started to react less to my nephew’s words, avoided speaking negatively about him, and focused on praying against the forces influencing him.
Over time, not only did God transform me, but He also changed my nephew.
A Revelation Through Scripture
This morning, as I read John 6, I reached verse 70, where Jesus said, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.”
In that moment, it all made sense: God allowed the devil to work through my nephew to prepare me for ministry.
Why would God do that? Because even the devil has a purpose in God’s plan. Just as Judas was necessary for salvation to come to us, the enemy is sometimes allowed to refine us. My pastor used to say, “Satan thinks he’s in charge when he comes against us, but in reality, he’s serving God’s greater purpose.”
Think of it this way: God uses the devil to strip away everything in us that doesn’t reflect Him. It’s like being purified in the fire, as described in 1 Peter 1:7.
What to Do in the Midst of Your Storm
If you’re in the middle of a battle right now, here are four things to consider:
Ask God What He’s Teaching You
Reflect on whether this is a test or a trial. Is God trying to strip something from you or reveal something about you?
Check Your Prayer Life
Are you praying without ceasing, as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs? Prayer isn’t just about asking—it’s about thanksgiving, praise, and connection with God.
Invest Time in the Word
The Word strengthens your prayer life. Psalm 119:130 says, “The entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.” How much time are you dedicating to studying Scripture?
Pray for Transformation—In Yourself and Others
As you pray for God to transform you, also pray for the person being used against you. Ask God to fill you with His love for them. If you feel led, tell them you love them, and if possible, give them a hug.
A Testimony of Breakthrough
After three years of praying, both my nephew and I experienced transformation. Just a few days ago, I told him I loved him, and we hugged. I was so overwhelmed that I cried after he left the room. For the first time, I saw the nephew I loved all along.
Are You in the Storm?
If you’re facing a battle and feel alone, I hope my testimony encourages you. Remember to look at what the storm is revealing about you and trust that God is working through it.
What has God been teaching you in your storms? Share your thoughts or testimony in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you! If this post blessed you, don’t forget to share it with someone who needs encouragement.
Check out this short video snippet from my book Life's Journey our Great Test about having faith when God seems far. You can subscribe to the YouTube channel as well to grow more on your spiritual walk.
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