This is War

This isn't just about the Spiritual attacks we face in life. It's about the physical things that happen and get us down.  He has but one thing to try with all who believe.  To try his best to discourage.  He cannot take our lives but he can make us ineffective for Christ if we aren't alert and watching. We are our own worst enemy to be sure, but the one who is in us, with us, is greater than he who is in this world. 

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9

These past weeks have been incredibly hard on friends of mine.  There are monumental challenges facing them.  

Many years ago I was facing what were to me, monumental challenges.  Back then, I really hadn't had visitors to talk to. I faced sleepless days and nights.  Faced sleeping alone because of fear of hurting my wife with my cast.  God indeed saw me through it.  My promise to me was that should I be brought near to someone facing monumental challenges, I would indeed do whatever I could for them.  Let God work out the details. 

We are indeed at war. Our physical challenges are unique to all of us. Mainly because God created us all to be unique. 

But even with that, He shared in our sufferings.  He was well acquainted with grief.  A man of sorrows even.

This war we are in has already been won. When Jesus arose from the dead the victory was sealed.  Sealed in His blood. 

To be sober in Spirit is to keep your mind on things above not on things down here. 

When things happen, keeping our focus is going to be harder.  But Jesus keeps His promises.  We are safe in His hands. He will never leave us nor forsake us. 

There's another thing that we need to remember.  There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Once forgiven that's it.  There may be consequences to our physical actions but Spiritually Jesus remembers them no more.  

Stand firm. If you are too weary to move, then stand firm.  Rely on the strength Jesus provides.  The Spirit of God is within the heart of everyone who claims the name of Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  The same power that brought Him back to life is within each of us who are saved. 

Lastly...I do agree with a Casting Crowns song...Praise You in the Storm.  And another called Thy Will be Done by another artist. God isn't just our God when things go right.  He isn't just the God of all that is Sunshine.  In the midst of the storm too.

Thy Will be Done...a very powerful song. We can do all that we know to do is right and still go through rough times.  We are being refined and purified.  MercyMe's Even If.  Consider that we can easily do everything we should and more and still go through rough times.  Stay in prayer.  Even if all you can pray is Help!  Count on His intervention.  As Scripture says we need to pray believing or don't pray at all...that's a paraphrase. 

God is for you. He loves you. Nothing anyone can ever do will ever change that.