Spiritual Warfare

So, let's be real, if that's okay.  I tend to try to be a positive person... because I don't like negativity.  And there's enough abounding in this world for me to add to it... and being negative is not going to help make the situation any better. 

But today I'm having a bit of a pity party. 

Maybe it's just coming home from vacation and knowing that I've just got three weeks of summer break left.  Perhaps it's just that I'm tired. 

Maybe it's something a little bit deeper.  I've been reading in Judges for Priscilla Shrirer's Gideon study...and Beth Moore's David: Seeking a Heart Like His.  I've been spending a few hours a day completing lessons, because I'm working through them both with online groups and I'm playing catchup.  Both studies talked about spiritual warfare.  Both studies brought up the verses from Ephesians about the armour of God, so we can stand against the wiles of the devil... the schemes of the devil. 

We're fighting a battle.  It's not a battle against people or things we can see.  It's an eternal battle... but don't think that sometimes he doesn't use people to wage war against us.  Satan is counterfeit God, and God is all about relationships... so it serves to reason that he's all about tearing down our relationships.  He uses people and circumstances to get under our skin. That's why the Bible talks about being angry and sinning not, and not giving place (a foothold) to the devil. 

Sometimes we don't feel like fighting, but God tells us to stand firm.  Hold our ground.  Even if we aren't on the offensive, He doesn't want us to retreat, even when we feel like burying our heads in the sand. 

Life is hard.  There's a war waging... but we know how it ends.  We know who is on the winning side... we just have to trust in Him. 

And give ourselves a pep talk.

We are weak... but His grace is sufficient.