Do you ever have those days where you're just sour for now reason? Everything can be going great but you're pouting in the corner because you can't seem to shake your funk?
Last week I spent a couple days in this terrible, terrible mood. I was not a fun person to be around. At work I forced myself to remain quiet. I prayed over and over again, God, please just don't let me hurt anyone today. I didn't want to snap at anyone over something stupid and I knew I wasn't being myself, so I avoided others at all costs. At home I practically locked myself up in my bedroom to avoid taking my anger out on Michael. I yelled at Bailey over stuff I normally would have let go. I couldn't find the energy to do housework or schoolwork. I couldn't focus when I tried to read my Bible or pray. I was in this hazy, ugly fog and I couldn't escape.
It took me 2 days to realize that I was facing some spiritual warfare. Once I realized what was going on, the intensity seemed to vanish. It was still there, but it was much more tolerable. That's the secret to spiritual warfare - once you figure out what's going on, it melts away. Its strength is in its disguise.
The best way I know to describe spiritual warfare is a Satanic attack against the soul in order to prevent furthering the Kingdom of God. I know that sounds pretty intense, but rarely does that attack look like the blockbuster demonic possessions. Instead, spiritual warfare often looks pretty normal. Sometimes it's a simple as everyday distractions. Ever tried to read your Bible but couldn't seem to take in a single word you were reading? Or tried to pray but couldn't think of any of the words you wanted to say? Sometimes spiritual warfare looks like my bad mood last week, or sometimes it's this random urge to avoid a friend that normally points you toward Christ.
Point is, spiritual warfare is discrete. It's easy to overlook. It's easy to place the blame elsewhere. So how do you know it's there? First of all, if you've recently done something to further the Kingdom of God, you can expect some spiritual warfare. Satan will distract and discourage. He'll do whatever it takes to stop you in your tracks. I've even had all of my electronics suddenly stop working when I'm trying to write something that glorifies God.
It's important to remember that our lives are a battlefield. Just as God places opportunities in our lives to accept Him, Satan tries to tear down those opportunities. Your soul is a war zone. It's completely normal to face these constant battles. Christians often encourage one another by saying that Satan wouldn't be interested in you if you weren't a threat. Take that to heart.
1 Peter 5:8 says "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
1 Peter 4:12-13 says "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
The Bible warns us to be prepared for attack but so often we are caught off guard. Verses promise God's protection, like Psalm 91:4, which states "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." So often we misunderstand God's protection. We think He'll prevent us from allowing bad things to happen. But this verse doesn't say anything about God protecting us from bad things. It says that He will be our refuge. It says that He is faithful, and His faithfulness will protect us. To understand His faithfulness, we need to look at His promises. Philippians 4:19 says that God will provide for our needs. John 15:7-8 says that God will answer our prayers. Acts 13:38-39 says that God will forgive our sins. Nowhere does it say He'll keep us from getting hurt.
The Bible doesn't protect against spiritual attack, but it does promise blessing through the endurance of an attack. 1 Peter 4:12-19, Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, and Isaiah 41:10 all promise blessings through trials. There is beauty in spiritual warfare. For one, there is beauty in our dependence on God. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says that God is glorified in our weakness. God created us to depend on Him. Second, we are not called to be perfect. We are called to struggle, to fall, to need. These things create our need for God.
I want to encourage my believing friends 2 things:
1. Pray about spiritual warfare ahead of time. Pray that God will open your eyes to spiritual warfare and that you will be well-equipped to handle it.
2. If you think you are facing spiritual warfare, have hope. Spiritual warfare cements faith. It solidifies our dependence on God. It strengthens our walk.
Even though spiritual warfare is one of the more ugly parts of being a Christian, it is a necessary hurtle to conquer. We cannot enjoy the glory of Christ without our faith being tested first. I guarantee you, your fight will be worth it. Because, after all, peace follows war. (Unless you lose the war, but that's another post.)
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