Be Self-Controlled And Alert

Lions are sneaky. When they go after they or pray they hunt for the one who is weak, young, or the slowest in the herd. He watches slowly, grazing and watching, waiting for the right time to strike. That’s exactly how the enemy is. He waits around for the right moment to attack you where it hurts. Peter is warning us to be of sound mind, be self-control, ready and alert for the enemies attacks. To keep an eye on the deceitful one when trials and tribulations come up. The enemy will use those moments of wrong ability to keep this week, hopeless, feeling alone, and disconnected from others.

What can we doe against the enemies attacks? Verse 9 tells us. 

 Peter tells us what we need to be doing when the enemy is trying us.

1. Resist him.

Rebuke him, in the name of Jesus, pray against him, use your Authority to fight against him and send him back to the pits of Hell to where he belongs. In James 4:7 we are told to submit to God and he the enemy will flee from us. When times get tough, tell Satan not today, fighting prayer, and stay the course. God will protect and He will provide. 

 2. Stand firm in your faith. 

Your faith in Christ is what will give you the strength to keep going. Remember, all things through Christ will give you the strength. Stand firm in your faith when You face your trials and tribulations. In doing so you will grow in the areas of:

• Perseverance

• Strength

• Courage

• Wisdom 

• Patience

• Self-control

just to name a few….

So that the next time you face the enemy, you know that you are stronger than before. More victorious each time you war against him. 

But you can’t do this all on your own. That’s what the enemy wants you to think. He wants you to think that you are alone. That no one else wants to hear your problems because they’re so small. That you’re not worthy to have the support of others.

You have to reach out to your fellow Christian believers to help remind you of who God is in you. We all go through our own battles, but it’s better to not go at them alone. You never know, someone else could be going through the same thing you’re going through or have gone through the same thing that you are going through and God can use their testimony to help you or vice versa you can have a testimony of how God has moved in your life and that could bless someone else.

During your trials remember to:

pray,

seek support from other Christians, 

keep your eyes on Christ,

keep the word in your your mind,

let the Holy Spirit move in your heart, 

And always remember to put on your armor of God every morning.

 There Is Hope!

 

In verse 10 we are given our hope which is in Christ and in his eternal glory.

After we have suffered, we are restored! Made stronger, wiser, and better than before. Standing firm and being steadfast.

Our time here on Earth is short compared to eternity with Christ. Our suffering is short compared to our eternity in Christ. This Too Shall Pass, and truth is that Joy does come in the morning. Tough times don’t last forever.

I’m on this journey to get closer to God. To grow in him, and intentionally know him more. I do feel like the closer I get to Him the hard the enemy works to wear me down.

It’s a tough position to be in. It’s a tough and emotional place to be. However, I’m not giving up. I am holding on to my Jesus courage, and onto the strength of Christ to keep me going.

I have a battle plan to help me fight which includes:

• Stand firm in my faith, 1st Corinthians 16:13

• Pray without ceasing, Ephesians 6:11

• Not givng up, Joshua 1:9

• Reach out to my safe circle of believers, 1st Thessalonians 5:11

Do you have a battle plan?

A plan that will get you through those storms. A plan that will give you strength, and keep you pressing on inspite of all? If you do, that’s great. If you don’t, what’s stopping you from preparing yourself for the battles to come?

Have self-control, and don’t let the enemy take you out of your character. Be alert, because he is always look for a way in. Always have hope that God will move in your life. Ask, seek, and be ready to receive.