For All Those Who Feel Beat Down
November 3, 2009
By Alex Bryant
I have talked to many people lately who are going through
tough trials. They are dealing with a lot of junk! You may be in the same
situation. So when I say, “The enemy is trying to break you down hard,” you
know exactly what I’m talking about. Your faith is being challenged left and
right. But take a moment, read on, and let me encourage you a little bit.
It’s no surprise that the enemy is fighting us. The Bible
tells us in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy”
(NIV). Satan wants to steal your joy, your hope, the trust you have in the
Lord. He wants to kill your faith so he can destroy your soul. The Bible tells
us in Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Satan
knows this, and so he plans to attack your faith.
One way he attacks your faith is by getting you to worry. In
the greatest sermon ever preached, The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us in
Matthew 6:25 that we should not worry about our life. Our enemy knows that our
Savior has told us not to worry, yet he uses the weapon of worry to attack us
often, doesn’t he?! Satan wants you to start to worry about things — all
kinds of things, big and small. What does the future hold for you? What are you
going to be doing next year? Is your job safe? How are you going to pay your
bills? And on and on and on he goes. He places these thoughts in your head to
get you to worry.
Satan knows that worry will eventually turn into fear. And
your fear will cause you to do things you don’t need to do — to take
matters into your own hands, to do what’s right in your own eyes. And this
always leads to trouble, because it shows a lack of faith. Check out the Old
Testament examples of how people got into a lot of trouble when they did what
was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25).
Let me encourage you in this. Instead of listening to the
lies of the enemy, stand strong. Hang on and trust God! He knows what you are
going through, and He will not forsake you! Be committed to doing the right
thing even when it doesn’t seem like it is going to work out well. Don’t
compromise and give in to the lies of the enemy. If God is Jehovah-Jireh (our
Provider), then He has to take care of you, right?!?!
Also, remember, you are not in this fight alone. Other
followers of Christ want to help you and encourage you. Don’t be afraid to
share your need with others. Maybe they can storm the throne of God with
prayers, or maybe they can be a part of the solution in some way. You aren’t
the only one that the enemy is attacking. Let’s band together to defeat him. If
you need a job, share the need with other believers. If you need a place to
live, share the need. If you need friends who will be a positive influence to
you, share the need. Whatever it is you need, share it with the body of Christ
and pray to God.
In the meantime, I encourage you to defeat the enemy with
the Word of God. While you pray, continue to read God’s Word for strength,
direction and encouragement.
I leave you with this: “The horse is made ready for the day
of battle, but victory rests with the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31). Our victory will
come. We can rest assured because we are children of God. In this passage, God
tells us to do all that we can to prepare. Be encouraged; do all that you can.
Don’t allow worry to immobilize you. Don’t let fear cause you to slip into
depression. Don’t let the enemy steal your faith and cause you to lose trust in
God. Do ALL you can and then pray to Him for victory.
— Alex Bryant serves as college and young adults
pastor at First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, Fla.
