Spiritual attacks? You tell me...

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It’s 2:09 AM and I’m not asleep. I won’t be asleep for at least another five hours. I didn’t sleep last night either. Unless you count the ten minutes I was able to nap in my truck. I did manage to catnap a couple of times today, but it didn’t amount to much.

Why you ask? That’s a good question. Not sure I know the answer. My friend’s mom is sick and needs to go to a doctor. She has insurance with an excellent hospital (which is good) but it’s tough to actually get in and see a doctor. It’s incredibly busy. So people line up during the night, so that when the doors open at 7 AM they can get a slip of paper with a time on it. That guarantees them an appointment with a doctor sometime during the day. I wasn’t comfortable with this friend trying to find a taxi in the middle of the night, so I offered to take her. She got in line at around 4 AM (there was one guy who’d been there since 9 PM the night before), but unfortunately we were too late and all the appointments were taken (we discovered this at around 7:30 AM).

One of the boys from Nacer (where I used to work) is going back tonight to try again. And again, I really wasn’t comfortable with the idea of him trying to get down there at three in the morning by himself. So again...I offered to take him and wait with him. I mean...it’s only sleep right? =) He’s got classes in the morning, so I think I’ll let him sleep in the truck and I’ll just wake him up when the doors open. It's all good.  I’ve got a book. I’ll be fine.

In other news...it’s been a weird few days here. Ever had that feeling when it seems there are crazy spiritual attacks happening all around you, but you’re mostly fine? That’s where I am right now. It’s like what I imagine the eye of a hurricane would be like...maybe less dusty...

I won’t get into all of it, but I would ask you to pray for wisdom and protection for both myself, and the people who are involved. One of the situations especially, has the potential to really affect the guys here at the house. It has me a bit concerned.

I am going to tell you a bit about one of the situations though. Maybe someone has some advice for me. It’s probably the one that has me the most worried and baffled.

A young guy I know has been living with a family for a couple of years now, as he studies. This family has a history of mental instability. Different family members have struggled with everything from severe depression to outright schizophrenia. One of them has been in and out of the hospital a number of times.

You might think that this is likely genetic, except that the one of them is adopted and isn’t related by blood to the others. And yet she’s struggles with the same mental illnesses. What has me so worried, is that I’ve discovered that my young friend is quite possibly suddenly manifesting symptoms of the same type of mental illness. He has no history of any sort of mental or emotional issues in his past or family history, and suddenly (seemingly out of the blue) he’s having problems. Well...either that, or the story he’s telling me is true and that would mean even worse issues.

So is this possible? Could some sort of spiritual attack manifest itself as mental illness? I’m feeling like it could. There’s more to the story obviously, but it does feel like God’s been confirming that this is spiritual rather than physical or emotional. I have already taken him to a doctor (and we have follow up visits and tests planned), so I’m not just going down the “it’s just a spiritual attack” road too easily. But if it is...what now? I’ve prayed with him and taken authority over anything that might be influencing his thoughts and actions. Now what do we do?

I’m not feeling completely lost in this, just to be clear. But it’s certainly complicated and a bit confusing. I spoke with this young guy tonight, and the experiences he feels are taking place around him (and to him) are completely real in his mind. But...they’re just so completely out there and crazy, that it’s tough to believe that they are real.

For now I’m going to try and have him here at the house more. I’m also going to try and verify wether or not these experiences have actually taken place. This is a kid who is probably one of the most trustworthy, stable kids I know. So it’s weird to be questioning the truthfulness (in a way) of what he’s telling me.

Please pray for us through this. Obviously, as I said, it’s complicated and difficult. I’m worried for this young guy. Pray for wisdom and protection for each of us, and for healing for this kid. As well, that God would clarify the situation.

Finally...tomorrow afternoon (12:00 PM Saskatchewan time) I have a meeting with the director of the home I used to work at. If you know the situation at all, you’re aware that it’s a tense and difficult realtionship we have. I’m not really looking forward to talking with him (a lot of nasty things have happened over the past couple of years) but at the same time, I feel like I have a Biblical responsibility to try to be at peace with my brothers. So...off I go. I would appreciate your prayers for that too. I want to be honest and firm, without looking like I’m trying to attack or tear down him or his ministry. It’s a fine line.

Thanks everyone. I’ll try to keep you updated on all of this. Hopefully I won’t wait another week before I find the time to post again. =)

To end on a happier note.  I now have a film director living in my house.  Ruddy directed and filmed his first short film.  It's good.  He did some nice work with the camera angles and whatnot.  I was impressed.  As was he...  =)