Griever Beware

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:7-10 NIV)

The devil doesn't play fair. The loss of a loved one is without doubt one of the hardest seasons of life for any believer. The pain is great. The emotions are often uncontrollable. It even feels like a great fog has settled on your brain. And, as if that isn't bad enough, you have an enemy who is sneaky and just waiting for the perfect chance to attack. In his letter to a group of suffering Christians, Peter reminds us all that there is a spiritual warfare going on around us. There is a lion who is roaring with great hunger looking for a Christian to devour. Believe me, he knows that your defenses are down because of your heartbreak. He will take advantage of a griever and attack you from all directions with one goal in mind: to incapacitate you and destroy your testimony. But, if you rely on the One who gave His life for you, the enemy won't win.

Peter tells us to be alert. The Amplified Bible version of this passages even says to remain well-balanced and sober minded. In other words, feed yourself spiritually so that you can stay strong in your faith. Perhaps these are words that sound good but may feel impossible right now. Simply remind yourself of the truth. What is that truth? Peter identifies it in his second letter by stating that God wants nothing more than to rescue you. My friend, don't open the door to your adversary. Pray even when you don't feel like it. Trust Jesus and His love for you.

Spiritual warfare takes place in an unseen realm. When Satan is attacking, it is often through subtle accusations and lies. He will try to twist your concept of God's love for you and convince you that you are alone. He will even try to convince you that your faith is worthless. The good news is that Satan is not invincible and that God is all powerful. The devil can be defeated by putting on the armor of God which consists of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, prayer and the Word of God. In the New Testament, Paul offers advice on how be strong in Christ.

Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:13-18 NIV).

As a believer, you already have this armor. But your job is to put it on. The armor won't protect you if you keep it in the closet.

Journaling Ideas

1. Describe how the enemy is attacking you right now.

2. Are you feeling anxious right now? According to 1 Peter 5: 7-10, what can you do about it?

3. What is preventing you from putting on the armor of God?

4. How does Psalm 7:10 apply to you?

5. How has God blessed you this week?

Grieving Toolbox

The tool I would like for your to use today is your Bible. Open your Bible to 1 Peter 5 and lay it in your lap. Read verses 7-10 out loud. Next, on a piece of paper, write a few key words that describe the attacks that the enemy is launching against you right now. Then, literally lay the paper listing these trials and problems on the Word of God and say out loud that you are casting your cares on Jesus. Finally, pray and thank the God of Peace for giving you strength and power to defeat your adversary.

My fellow believer, I pray that you will be encouraged to know that the Lord has plans for your life that are good and will not bring you disaster. Rest in the knowledge that God will give you a future and a hope. Be strong in the knowledge that the name of the Lord is a strong tower to which you can run and be safe.  (based on Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 18:10)