The face of my enemy.
I visualize sometimes what he looks like.
But mostly I'm just aware of his presence around me.
Some doubt his existence.
Not me.
I know for a fact.
He. Is. Real.
There may be some things I wrestle with in my faith.
But is the enemy real?
That's not one of them.
And he's not the boogy man with a red cape and pointed ears.
I might have once thought.
He comes saddling up to me with charm and disguise.
Pulling up a chair to my table.
He's sneaky.
Manipulative.
And a destructive liar.
Out to rob my peace.
Out to rob my joy.
He's clever in his attacks.
And knows where I'm most vulnerable.
He hits me in those places.
In my insecurities.
And in my doubts.
He whispers discouragement.
And half-truths.
If he were too far off track.
I'd just dismiss them.
But there's always an element of truth.
In what he says over me.
Just enough.
For his lies to gain some ground.
He works against me though distraction.
When I'm juggling too many things at one time.
In areas where I might feel overwhelmed.
He also speaks.
Through fear.
Worry.
Self-pity.
Conflicts.
And drama.
When those kind of situations arise.
I'm on alert.
I usually know the enemy is close by and at work.
He knows if he can get me to doubt God's goodness.
I might also question God's love for me.
Or believe somehow.
That God will let me down.
He attacks the most valuable areas of my life.
In the lives of people.
And the things I care about most.
My husband and my marriage.
Focusing on my husband's faults and not his strengths.
My children.
Worrying instead of trusting Jesus with their lives.
My family.
Reminding me of past offenses and damaged relationships.
In my work.
Telling me I'm not smart enough. That I will let people down.
And relationships.
At the root of conflicts, division and unkindness.
In my work in Kenya.
Getting me to doubt my calling and purpose.
And my physical well-being.
Finding comfort in food. Encouraging a lack of discipline.
He'll do and say anything.
To take from me.
To steal from me.
And to destroy me.
He hates me.
And he hates my faith.
That's the face of my enemy.
So, what can I do?
Am I completely at his mercy?
Thankfully no.
I'm getting better at recognizing him at work in my life.
And I call him out for what he is.
I visualize that smirky grin on his face.
When he thinks he's got me on the ropes.
And I remember who I am.
I am blessed.
Chosen.
Adopted.
Accepted.
Redeemed.
Forgiven.
I can stand my ground with the enemy.
And tell him - basically - to go straight back to Hell.
Scripture tells me it's as simple as that.
"so humble yourselves before God. resist the devil and he will flee
from you. come close to God and God will come close to you."
James 4: 7
~~~~
"expect to encounter adversity in your life,
remembering that you
live in a deeply fallen world.
stop trying to find a way that
circumvents difficulties.
the main problem with an easy life
is that it masks your need for Me.
anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities,
situations totally beyond your ability to handle.
when you see armies of problems marching toward you,
cry out to Me!
allow Me to fight for you.
watch Me working on your behalf."
Sara Young, "Jesus Calling."
