BY JESSICA LANDMON
A concerning follow-up appointment request from your doctor. Unexpected expenses that your bank account cannot support. Relational strain in your family. News of downsizing at your place of work. A child who is testing your patience. Feelings of unworthiness or inferiority that seep in out of nowhere. An issue in your marriage that seems hopeless. A comment that was presented as a joke, but really had some hurtful undertones. Not getting credit for something that you worked hard on. Unfair treatment towards your child by a coach, teacher or instructor.
Ladies, whatever your situation is today, don’t take the bait!
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8
Plain and simple, the devil is trying to bait you. He would love nothing more than to incite an emotional response in you that doesn’t honor God. He knows your strengths and weaknesses, your history and your tendencies, and any emotional hurt that hasn’t been dealt with. Basically, he knows what buttons to push.
That is why it is so important to be wise to the enemy’s schemes. If we understand what his strategy is, if we understand that he is trying to push us off course, then we are stronger positioned to resist any temptation that he throws our way.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:10-12
Listen, life is far from easy. Each day presents its own challenges, which is why we must clothe ourselves with the armor of God. Instead of responding in anger, fear, depression, hopelessness, or allowing an offense to build up in our hearts, we need to remember that we have been given Holy Spirit power to resist our natural tendency and take up a position of faith to stand against the enemy.
I’m not suggesting that we all walk around pretending that certain situations are not occurring. That would be foolishness. But, if we hand over all our situations to the Lord, and not react as if we are people without faith, then we will see God’s mighty hand move in our lives.