Under Attack !!!
Our enemy is walking around, looking for the opportunity to attack. They are waiting in the dark places for that moment they can jump out and strike. We are able to prepare for these attacks if we are watching our surroundings and keeping our guard intact. The moment we choose to become comfortable in our sin and surroundings is the same moment the strike is most likely to occur.
What will the attack the look like, and what will be the plan when it does occur? Looking beyond the situation in the moment will reveal who the real attacker is and how to defend yourself. That teenager who is upset may not just be the teenager; younger people are weaker, and not always able to identify why they might be upset. As most of you are probably aware of, it doesn't take much to upset a teenager. So how should we respond to this upset teenager in a way that shows him that we care about him, while also rebuking the true attacker? The stranger having a bad day because he is under attack could strike at any time. We must always be ready with a soft answer and be a voice of reason to calm any situation and rebuke the enemy. When the attack comes, we must be aware.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion,
walketh about seeking
whom he may devour.
Let us break this down; "be sober" means to be serious, and "be vigilant" means that we need to pay attention. Now, think about how that roaring lion is looking for his dinner; that is how our enemy is searching for a chance to hurt us. They are going to use every person and every situation they possibly can to get us frustrated; they want to hurt us and make us angry. Put your plan into place today so that you are ready for the attack and can bring the calm into someone else's storm.
Dear Lord, reveal to us today when and where the enemy is lurking, waiting to cause us harm. Give us the insight to be prepared to defend ourselves with grace and mercy so that you may shine through us.