And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind and to do things that should not be done.  They were filled with every kind of injustice, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, craftiness, they are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, rebellious toward parents,  foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  They know God’s decree, that those who practice such things deserve to die, yet they not only do them but even applaud others who practice them. Romans 1:28-32

Back in 2005, Mark Mallett received a “Now word” that stated, “I have lifted the restrainer”. I believe this was a true word. I think back to what was happening in 2005. Of course there was the death of Saint John Paul II, and the explosion of technology and launch of google. There was Hurrican Katrina, the Indian Ocean Tsunami, and the London Bombings. Yet still when I look back, those evils were the beginnings of a floodgate of the evil we see unfolding today.

What does it mean to lift the restrainer? It means that when humanity deliberately rejects God, His grace is lifted, or removed. He allows us to reap the consequences of our sinful inclinations. Minds become depraved, right from wrong cannot be distinguished. Confusion reigns.

Lindsey Clancy is a tipping point to me. Though I cannot know for certain, I believe she shows signs of possession. She stated a male voice told her to kill her children and herself. She said she felt like an outside force took over her body according to the psychiatrist. These are the things we aren’t allowed to talk about. In our secular world, we dismiss the spiritual happenings. Mental illness does not preclude demonic influence or possession. Only God knows the full truth.

From my perspective, as a person who suffered from postpartum depression and anxiety, who was bombarded with demonic thoughts, there are a few things that I know. The devil comes to steal, to kill and to destroy (John 10:10). In retrospect of my own situation, I can clearly see how the enemy was trying to steal my motherhood and convince me to take my life. I am so grateful for all the praying people who literally, through cooperation with God’s grace, interrupted that demonic train of thought. I am grateful for the Rosary my parents taught me to pray. The Rosary was a lifeline. In Lindsay Clancy’s case, her motherhood was stolen, there was literal killing, and we can see the destruction being reaped through the fabric of our nation. We see women justifying what was done and even going so far as to do what she did in order to support her.

I do want to say though that I don’t want to come across as if, “the devil made me do it” is a good defense. The devil cannot make you do anything without consent. Sin is the consent that hands him dominion to speak into your life. For Lindsay Clancy I don’t know what opened the door to this. It is for God to know and judge. But I do have some thoughts and some prayer. First, I hope her children were baptized. Baptism marks a soul as a child of God. I pray they are in the Beatific Vision and baptism assures that they are. As for her, the words of Saint Paul come to mind. Hand her flesh to Satan so her soul may be saved (1 Corinthians 5:5). That is to say let her flesh be imprisoned so that her soul can be set free. May God have mercy on her soul.

The restraint has been lifted. Parts of the country have been given over to an unfit mind and to doing things that should not be done. A spirit of Jezebel manipulates whole territories. An offering to Molech has been ingrained in the mind of many who love the sacrament of abortion. Where we are now is the logical conclusion. State governments have embraced abortion up until birth, with “Catholic” governors signing it into law.

Meanwhile, other places, like my own state, have largely banned abortion and named June, Nuclear Family Month. Though no place is perfect or free from sin but you can bet there is Spiritual protection when the authority tries to honor God. Make note – God is revealing where you may find refuge.

Additionally, “where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more,” Romans 5:20. In these depraved times I see immense grace. In fact, in my OCIA class, I am overwhelmed by the number of people becoming Catholic. I can hardly keep up. The stark contrast between what I read in the news and what I experience on the ground, the stuff that doesn’t get reported, is amazing. The Holy Spirit is on the move. It is our job, no matter where we are, to be a light of goodness and truth.

We live in interesting times. I am repeatedly having dreams of flooding, fire, and children being harmed. I wake and I pray. I hand any anxiety to God and look up at His goodness.

In order to persevere in these times, humility is key. Regular Confession and reception of the Eucharist helps keep the voice of the enemy away and helps you discern which voice is speaking to you. I know for me, I began to heal when I realized how powerful Confession was and God’s love and mercy became personal. Stay away from things that make you take your eyes off of God’s goodness and make you think evil is winning. We know God has already won the victory.

In the Book of Jude God’s judgment on the Ungodly is described. He describes how men defile the flesh, reject authority, and revile the glorious ones. They revile what they do not understand.

But Jude also gives us the antidote. He tells us; 1. build up a holy faith 2. Pray in the Holy Spirit 3. Keep yourselves in the love of God 4. Wait for mercy 5. Convince doubters.

It’s a battlefield out there, but we mustn’t despair or lose hope. The God of peace wants Satan under your feet. (Romans 16:20)