Spiritual Warfare

Sometimes as I slog through my daily tasks and challenges, I don’t always notice my emotional state until I am on the verge of an explosion or meltdown.

And then I wonder. How did I get to this point? And why am I getting so worked up?

There’s no easy answer to these questions. But as I wrestle with resentment, frustration and anger with my current situation caring for a handicapped niece, I realize that sometimes my feelings are intensified by spiritual attack. Trying to do everything in my own strength, I open myself up to the snares of the devil.

This thought isn’t something that fits with our materialistic culture with its pride in scientific knowledge and achievements. But that doesn’t make it any less true.

The Bible tells us plainly to be on guard, alert for the attacks of Satan. To put on all of God’s armor. And to pray continually.
Much easier said than done.

When I get drawn into a battle of wills with my niece, I am not keeping an eye out for the approach of the enemy. When I am planning my day, I don’t think about putting on God’s armor. And when I am exhausted emotionally and physically, prayer is not the first thing I want to do.

So keeping my own limitations in mind, I need to be smarter about waging the spiritual war.

Before I get caught up in the cares of the day, I need to spend time in prayer and in His Work, so that I put on my armor. As I go through the day, I need to practice the habit of praying continuously.

I also need to follow the example of Daniel. He didn’t spend his time in prayer talking about the devil. He spent his time praying for God to be at work in His people.

That is the key to successful spiritual warfare: God fights the battle. We just need to walk closely with Him, whether times are good or bad, smooth or rocky, near to Him to let Him protect us and defend us.

And no matter what, to keep standing. For we know that in the end, we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.