Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

In this verse we are given a clear command to be “alert” and “sober minded” regarding the attacks of the enemy upon our lives.   Learning this is key to remaining peaceful in Christ.  If you are completely thrown off everytime something seems to go wrong, you will not walk in the peace of Christ.

There have been times in my life that I have had to remind myself that life is a spiritual battlefield.  I long for the time when the enemy is bound for eternity but that is not today.  I remember getting upset very easily and thinking it was unjust when I faced trials of many kinds. 

It isn’t that I don’t feel heavy or have anxiety when an attack comes but rather I know that I have one to turn to.  As I turn to Christ, the pain of the moment has a way of fading away.  He doesn’t allow me to remain in anxiety or fear for long.  He always has a plan to set me free.

A watchman on a wall must be alert and sober.  The defences of a city depend upon the dependability of such a person.  A man who falls asleep at his post can represent a great danger to his city.

In the same way we must not let down our guard against the devil.  Remember he understands your weaknesses and knows how to exploit them.  If he can, he will destroy you.

Many have fallen away when the enemy comes against them.  They are shocked at what they see is the power of the devil.  Many of these people are more afraid of the devil than they are of God. 

I have heard people say that before Christ the devil didn’t bother them much, but now that they are Christians they are bothered all the time.  Many leave Christ because of fear of the devil.  They give the devil more power than God.

You shouldn’t be surprised by the attacks and you should also know that you are not alone.  People all over the world are experiencing the same thing as you.  Some have faced much worse.  Some have been tortured, jailed and even martyred for their faith.

We must become stronger in our hearts.  We must be thankful for the trials, attacks and tribulations that come because we know we are suffering because of our faith.  When I enter into suffering with thankfulness, it makes it much easier to endure.  The enemy doesn’t know what to do when you thank God for all the negative that comes upon your life.

Perhaps you are like me and get overwhelmed when the attack is heaviest.  That is when I get others to pray for me.  That is when I turn to God and remind Him that He is my shelter and my rock.  I have even complained to Him about the attack.  He is kind to me.  He always sends the fresh rains of His Spirit.  He sets my spirit free in the midst of the attack.

Just yesterday I was bombarded by lies from the enemy.  I had my wife pray.  Last night the Lord gave me a dream and I woke feeling wonderful.  Today I am not the same.  The same spirit may try to lie to me, but I am over it and not under it.  My hope is in God alone.

I pray for you today and ask God to give you joy in the midst of the trial.  Your destiny depends on you knowing that God will be faithful even when you are attacked.  Don’t worry about a thing, because in Christ God has you covered.  Get ready for blessing in the place of suffering.