12 GLAD TIDINGS APRIL 2026 Have You Been Swatting Flies? January 31, 2026 Flies in the Natural and the Spiritual There are two kinds of flies: natural and spiritual. What started out as swatting natural flies turned into swatting "spiritual flies"—annoyances meant to discourage us and make us come to a halt. Intruders in Our Home An odd thing happened at my home recently. We were inundated with flies. At first, we thought perhaps the door had been left open, allowing flies trying to escape the unseasonable heat to the cooler air inside. But for every fly we killed, one or two more would appear. It was a seemingly never-ending barrage of annoyance. Their constant buzzing noise, flying around us, landing on food and counters. In one evening, we must have killed fifteen to twenty. It was with a sense of satisfaction and a smile when I killed what I thought was the last fly, only to walk into our bathroom and find another one buzzing around. And then it would start again the next day. That's when we realized that eggs must have been laid by one of the aggravating beasts, and we were now reaping the result. All of this took place after my husband and I had just come off an excruciatingly busy schedule, launching a three-day revival in a large arena in our city. When Spiritual Flies Swarm After we took on the assignment to assist with the event, we encountered another set of "flies"—demonic annoyances. During a six-week period, as we worked to prepare for the revival, several things happened. The overflow pan of the AC condenser located upstairs clogged. We walked into our master closet late on a Friday afternoon to find water dripping down the walls and through the light fixture from the second floor. Because it was late Friday, we were in weekend rates for a repairman. The following week, our freezer froze up. This also happened (you guessed it) on a Friday afternoon after hours. We had to unload the freezer and store our frozen goods until it was repaired. (Photo via Pexels) Also, during that same sixweek interval, we had a big family issue arise, which took a lot of emotional energy and time. My husband and I were juggling one thing after another, even as we were already working to keep up with our normal workloads and the massive amount of additional tasks on our shoulders for the upcoming revival. It felt like we were swatting flies constantly. If you have ever stepped out to take ground for God, you have most likely also experienced that "coincidence" of thing after thing that starts to go wrong with your car, your house, or your relationships—demonic attacks that are like flies. Have You Been Swatting Flies? Have you been swatting flies in the spirit realm? Do you feel that annoyance and frustration that every time you take one step forward, you feel you are pushed back two? Every time a door seems to open, you turn to see it slammed shut? And as you step forward to take on a God assignment, you feel swarmed by demonic attacks? Those "flies" are intended to cause us to give up and stop. Why? Because we are being effective and on the verge of breakthrough. David Battled Flies When I sense that type of harassment spiritually, I often think of David, especially after he had accomplished so much. He raised up an army of 400 to 600 outcasts to be mighty warriors. He was being chased by the king and his army—after serving him faithfully. Then the city (Ziklag) where he lived was attacked, burned, and all his and his men's possessions, wives, and kids were taken by the enemy army. And if that wasn't enough, his men, in their frustration, were talking of killing him. (Photo via Piqsels) David was being swarmed by flies. Go to a Higher Level of Support If you are feeling swarmed, now is not the time to give up. Perhaps you have reached out for help and felt there is none. But you have the Holy Spirit! That is where David was at. He was surrounded by those who wanted him dead. All he could do was turn toward the Lord. When it would have been easier to give up, he pressed in. That is what we must learn to do. True maturity and strength is recognizing that the Holy Spirit always has a supply for us, and we must learn to go to Him to receive it. David encouraged himself in the Lord. Rather than getting mad and throwing in the towel, he pressed in to a higher level of support from Heaven. And that is where we are all going. It's great to get support from friends, family, and the church, but we have to be able to press into the Holy Spirit to receive our supply, direction, encouragement, and hope. If we are truly seated with Him in heavenly places, then that needs to be our perspective and where we go for strength and encouragement—to heavenly places and sit with Him. Are you feeling swarmed by flies? Do you feel you are ready to break under the weight of it all? Maybe what you are facing isn't just the annoyance of a freezer going out or water pouring down the walls of your closet, but a life-or-death diagnosis or crisis that seems impossible to overcome—a Ziklag moment. Don't give up. Pray. Press in. Keep swatting the flies until you see the breakthrough, which is on its way. Permission Granted Karen Hardin Destiny Builders Ministry Email: karen@lightandremnant.org Website: www.karenhardin.com KAREN HARDIN Tulsa, OK Wake Me Again at Half Past Five by Christian Short Stories Apr 15, 2022 At half past five he kissed her cheek, ready to go and meet the day! “I’m not a morning person you know; give me a minute” was her reply. They mounted the horse, riding double today. Her arms around his waist, head against his back, what a great way to start the day! “Hold on my love, hold on” he said, as they rode away into the day the Lord had made! The rising sun splashed the color of gold upon the sea. All their senses came alive, he gave the horse full rein as they galloped along the beach, and the sound of sea gulls filled the air. She held tight as they ascended the hill, and saw a deer, and a quail took to the air, as a squirrel scampered up a tree. It was as if all of God’s creation wanted to be seen. From the hills above they looked down on the shore where moments before they felt the sea on their faces. In awe of all they saw, their hearts beat in perfect rhythm as if just one! They descended along a bubbling stream. Eagles drifted in the air, cotton ball clouds floated high in a sea of blue, the air was so clear. Within the hour they rode through pastures green, a million wild flowers raise their heads to meet the sun and say hello. They stopped to gaze like children in a wonderland. She squeezed him tight; he cupped his hand on hers; they could hardly wait to see what more awaited them this day! Along the crystal-like lake they rode, he saw her reflection as in a mirror clear. His loving comment made her smile, she didn’t need to say a word, still waters run deep, like the beauty of her soul. Let’s get off and walk awhile, give the horse a rest. Hand in hand they walked along. The birds sang as if a chorus in the pines. They carved their initials in an oak, as a rabbit hopped on by. He prepared a picnic for two, they couldn’t have found a better place, all alone in paradise. They mounted up and headed back as the sun slid down and the moon came up. Soon they were back, what a marvelous day! He took her in his arms and said, of all the wonders of creation we saw today, none could compare with the beauty God created when he made you! Her tears rolled down his cheek and then she looked into his eyes and sighed – “Please Wake Me Again At Half Past Five!” “All things are made though Him; and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:3 It is hard to imagine a more perfect day than the couple in this story experienced enjoying God’s creation. Nor can we even begin to imagine what is in store for those that love the Lord, Creator of Heaven, and Earth, and put their faith in Him as Lord and Savior! “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those that love Him.” I Corinthians 2:9 u
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