Last week I came to a pause in my sermon preparation and began to wonder why things have seemed so hard for me lately. Not that any really "bad" things are going on -- no health problems, family life is good, etc. But the normal day in and day out stuff that I deal with has seemed abnormally hard, unusually difficult. Things like dealing with people, church administration issues, and even basic sermon prep. It just seems like those kinds of things have taken much extra effort and have been frustrating and exhausting.
While contemplating the difficulty of the past several weeks if not months and beginning to get tired just thinking about it, a voice inside me, which I can only attribute to the Holy Spirit, gave me the answer to things seeming so hard. He said, "It's the Enemy." While many or all of you reading this may have already known the source of the problem (you're saying, "Well, duh, of course that's the source!"), I had just missed it. Of course spiritual warfare is real and something that pastors (and everyone else as well) deal with on a daily basis, but it's as if I forgot I was in a war. It took the unmistakable voice of the Lord to remind me. I am so thankful for the Reminder from heaven.
Maybe you are where I am. The pressure from Satan seems especially strong right about now. What do we need to do? Pray, of course. And make a conscious effort to daily put on our spiritual armor. Here's what the Scripture tells us:
Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...
While contemplating the difficulty of the past several weeks if not months and beginning to get tired just thinking about it, a voice inside me, which I can only attribute to the Holy Spirit, gave me the answer to things seeming so hard. He said, "It's the Enemy." While many or all of you reading this may have already known the source of the problem (you're saying, "Well, duh, of course that's the source!"), I had just missed it. Of course spiritual warfare is real and something that pastors (and everyone else as well) deal with on a daily basis, but it's as if I forgot I was in a war. It took the unmistakable voice of the Lord to remind me. I am so thankful for the Reminder from heaven.
Maybe you are where I am. The pressure from Satan seems especially strong right about now. What do we need to do? Pray, of course. And make a conscious effort to daily put on our spiritual armor. Here's what the Scripture tells us:
Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...
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