Be Alert
One day driving down the road I heard my oldest daughter scream, “Mom, Kya just swallowed a quarter!” I threw my car into park, jumped out, opened her door, shoved my fingers down her throat, recovered the quarter, and went on our way! I’m the kind of friend you want with you in any type of trauma situation. I don’t freeze, I respond quickly with precision to get the job done and if needed I will cry about it later!
There’s a part of me that’s always waiting for the bottom to fall out. I guess I’ve experienced too much of life to walk around oblivious to the fact that our time here is short and the fact is I’m a target for the enemy because my life is submitted to God’s will not my desires or the desires that other people have for me. The scripture shares with us that we need to be aware of wicked schemes that are being set up against us.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV
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.
I’ve been to Africa and experienced safaris where lions were near our vehicles. There was no laughter, hanging out on our phones, or taking a nap. No, we were waiting, watching, and ready to be whisked away to safety if needed.
So how can we take the same approach spiritually?
We must remain sober-minded. That means we can’t allow our thoughts to get drunk on various fictional plots we make up or circumstances to dictate our character. Here are some truths we can all agree on: people are people, bad things happen, disappointments come… I’m not trying to be negative, but what I am trying to tell you is to wise up! These things don’t determine who you are or where you are going, but if you are not alert and sober-minded you’re going to wind up in a ditch, delayed and derailed.
The hardships are coming, if they haven’t already, so determine now who you will be in them. Here are a few key things to resist falling into the enemy’s trap so you can stand firm no matter what comes against you:
· Stay consistent in your spiritual disciplines so you can remain steady in any storm.
· Trust in the Lord. Trust will keep your focus on him instead of on your problems, so turn the conversations in your head back to the truths of his character and word.
· Remember, God fights our battles so we can rest even amid the harshest seasons. Don’t let someone else’s bad decision, opinion, envy, or retaliation change your heart. Stay above it. Stay kindhearted. Stay firm in your convictions. Stay focused on what God is asking you to do.
Don’t freeze up. Don’t chase the winds of fear, doubt, shame, people-pleasing, or regret. Don’t disconnect. Resist the temptations and stand firm knowing that in the end you win! And remember that you are not alone, even if you may feel lonely. Be alert, sober-minded, and ready to not only stand firm but to move forward mightier than ever!
