Hajja Salesjana

He knows our triggers. His lies are sharp arrows that he hurls in our direction—causing us to doubt God’s promises, or to question our identity as triumphant believers in Christ. You can’t submit one minute to his psychological warfare. Goliath’s taunts didn’t dampen David’s zeal; Sanballat’s threats didn’t coax Nehemiah off the walls of Jerusalem; and the self-righteous Pharisees who criticized Jesus’ every move didn’t stop Him from showing compassion to sinners and outcasts. Like these heroes, you must fight the fight of faith and use the shield of faith to repel Satan’s attacks. Satan sometimes uses people to discourage us, and some of his best tools are actually Christians who thrive on drama and negativity. Like Lucifer, they invent lies, entertain suspicions, spread toxic gossip and tear other Christians apart with their words. Sometimes I honestly believe the devil could go on a long vacation, and Christians would be happy to do his work for him! You must tune out the irrelevant noise made by small-minded people who would rather tear down the work of God than build it up. Forgive them and move on. Don’t ever allow people’s petty weaknesses to convince you to throw in the towel. Re-enlist for the war. It was Winston Churchill who said: “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” Churchill knew what all seasoned leaders understand: If you are out in front, people will pick you apart like vultures eat a carcass. Opposition comes with the assignment. Accept it and move forward. Jesus never told us that life would be free of problems. He told His disciples: “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Paul told Timothy: “And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). This is what we signed up for, but some of us need to renew our commitment to fight the good fight. Let’s pray for each other as we face the battle. Photo by Ashford Marx - Unsplash.com 21 Ottubru-Diċembru 2023 hajja