Some skirmishes don’t have the external evidence of a bloodied nose or broken hand. Often, the most brutal fights bring a beaten mind and bruised spirit, when life deals blow after blow through a financial hit, loneliness or being let down by people.
Once the dust settles and the damage is assessed, we may feel it would have been better to go a couple of rounds in a boxing ring instead.
We’ve each had our share of beatings from life. Things veered off track and crashed, leaving twisted wreckage on a formerly smooth road. You don’t always see the collision coming, especially when the drive of life is pleasant, sometimes giddy. Things are going well and Jesus is firmly in your heart as you hum a hymn that builds up the joy you’ve been delighting in despite a few potholes.
You lift your head to enjoy the warmth of the sun on your face, praising God as you do so. Then, bam! A sudden curve in the road reveals a washout you don’t see in time. Game over, and you’re left wondering what on earth just happened.
While the idea of a car accident to describe life’s difficulties may seem excessive, it’s often appropriate to the person experiencing the hardship. Pain has entered their life, shaking the foundation, much like the shaking of a car crash.
When the enemy of my soul, the devil, takes a weakness of mine and plants a thought that suddenly throws me off track the anchor of Christ in me has, temporarily, been interrupted and I’m falling head first into deception. Then a sliver of clarity arrives, forcing me to address the reality of the lie in front of me - spiritual warfare initiated by the father of lies who has sought to destroy me. A necessary shift must then take place.
Having adopted a fighting stance, I run to the truth of God’s word and cry out to Jesus, the lover of my soul, who breaks through the noise, draws me into himself and I am, once again, safe and secure in his embrace. It’s a scary time before the rescue but the devil is defeated like every time before.
Satan is a loser. Don’t believe his lies. Believe, instead, in the truth of God’s word and the power of Jesus Christ, your hope, that made you his and what keeps you safe, secure and firmly anchored to him.
Heavenly Father, I wish I never experienced spiritual warfare but I do, because of your promise that we, your children, will have trials and hardships in this life. Keep me firmly anchored to Jesus when I’m in the heat of those battles. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Throughout This Day: Remember that your true anchor is Christ, not the things of this world. Remind Satan that he has no power or authority over you as God’s child. Rejoice in the victory you have when you overcome the devil’s attacks.