In my early teens, I liked watching corny sitcoms on television. I lost count of the number of times these shows depicted the wimp being bullied at school. This overused scenario was a staple in teen dramedies and seemed to never get old.

Perhaps you also remember the awkward, unpopular character being tormented by the cool kids in the pettiest ways. For instance, the victim would unknowingly have a sign stuck to their back that said, “Kick me.”

Unbeknownst to them, someone mean-spirited made them a target, and the sad sap had no idea why they were being kicked while simply trying to get to class.

At various points in my real life, I have felt like the sad sap with the “Kick me” sign stuck to my back, and sickness was the kicker. Autoimmune diseases kicked me. Surgeries that led to near-death experiences kicked me. Most recently, brain trauma and PTSD kicked me.

I used to feel quite sad about it all the time and wondered why it was happening to me. Why did I have to face one issue after another? Why all the hospitalizations? The agony? The struggles? And now the mental health issues on top of that? I related on a deep level to the question asked in Job 7:20: “Why have you made me your target?”

Have you ever felt targeted, too? Sad about stuff you had to go through, too? Confused about why, too? Sick of being kicked, too?

I totally get it.

But, Daily Cup family, though I still have down moments, I am no longer constantly grieving over my setbacks and misfortunes. Part of the reason why is because I prayed earnestly for clarity and help, and God answered me. He reminded me through His word how often He uses unfortunate circumstances to get glory for Himself, display His power, and draw others to Him.

A good example of this is in Mark 5:1-20 where we encounter the demon-possessed man. I can only imagine how much pain he was in as he was tormented by demons so numerous, they were simply known as “Legion.” This hellish host of spirits commandeered his body and stripped away his ability to lead a normal life.

The spirits forced him to parade around naked, live in the graveyard, cut himself, and act belligerent. No one could handle this man or help him. What an awful, tortured existence, right? No one wants to live like that; it’s awful beyond belief.

When Jesus mercifully showed up on the scene, the legion of devils spoke through the man and said to Jesus, “In God’s name don’t torture me!”

That word torture is the Greek word basanizō (pronounced bas-an-id'-zo). It means to vex with pain, harass, distress, or torment.

You know, I find it ironically hilarious that the very demons that were harassing, hurting, vexing, distressing, and tormenting this man asked Jesus not to do that to them. Some nerve, right?

But that demonic request for mercy fell on deaf ears, and their worst nightmare manifested: Jesus, who has power over all forces of evil, forced the demons to exit that man’s body.

I so love what the savior did here! He tormented the tormentor. He ripped that metaphorical “Kick me” sign of the man’s back, delivered him from bondage, and turned everything around in an instant.

Friend, there comes a time when God says enough and commands the very thing that is tormenting you to leave you alone. God sent me to tell you, that time is coming for you. If you don’t see signs of it already, get ready. Your deliverance is nigh.

You will inevitably enter your divinely ordained season wherein God liberates you and gives you a brand-new lease on life. It’s about to happen for you. God is going to give you a breakthrough for a specific purpose just has He did for the formerly demon-possessed man.

We see in verse 18 of our text today that after Jesus set the man free and was getting in the boat to leave, the recipient of the miracle begged to go with Jesus. But the savior denied his tagalong request, because there was something else the Lord wanted this man to do.

In verse19, Jesus said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Jesus wanted to use this man’s deliverance as a testimony of Christ’s power! Verse 20 says, the man obeyed Jesus by going out and telling folks how much the savior had done for him, leaving everyone that heard it amazed.

And my dear friend, again, that time is coming for you when you will share your deliverance story and inspire others to put their trust in the Lord.

In the meantime, be encouraged. Understand that the greatest torment, tumult, and test come before the greatest testimony! I can personally attest to the truth of that statement.

So, hang in there. Your season of triumph is coming. And when it does, be so careful to give God’s name all the glory.

Tell others how He set you free. How He healed your body. How He gave you supernatural increase. How He broke the chains that bound you. How He restored what you lost. How He took what the enemy meant for evil and turned it around for good. How He made you a living testimony of His saving power, of His favor, of His great compassion and mercy!

To give you biblical confirmation that your season to testify is coming, I’m stirring Psalm 118:17 NIV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.”

Oh, bless His name!

As you drink down the contents of your cup, even if you’re caught in the middle of a difficult storm today, rejoice by faith for your set time of breakthrough and release. Have no doubt that after this, you will declare the glorious works of Christ to others and compel them to believe and serve Him.

Now, let’s pray.

God, thank You for confirming for me through Your word that You are turning this test into a testimony. I believe and receive it, and I declare by faith that it is so. And when—not if, but when—You do it, I will tell others what You have done and give Your name all the glory, so others will cry out, what must I do to be saved? In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!