I don’t have a well thought out intro today. What I’m about to share has been a heavy burden on my heart, just as heavy as the spiritual warfare some of us are probably facing right now. 

Many of us, including myself, have been going through negative cycles. We’ll feel great and victorious one week, and the next, we’re broke down and barely making it. Somewhere in our walk with Jesus, our eyes have shifted to the wrong places. We’re looking at our circumstances, at what’s trending on social media, and what our peers are doing. We’re listening to so many voices and placing our hopes in the wrong things. I’ve been convicted more and more about who I’m listening to and where I’m fixing my eyes. There’s a lot being said, and it may have some truth in it, but if it is not lined up with the biblical truth we profess to live by, it will be a slow yet progressive fade into an entirely different ideology. Before we know it, we’re opening doors for the enemy to come in and wreak havoc in our minds, our marriages, and our homes. And then we’re wondering why everything around us feels chaotic and insurmountable.

How is this spiritual warfare?

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” -1 Peter 5:8

Do you remember one of the most tragic moments in history that occurred on September 11, 2001? The world watched as The United States, compromised by terrorists, was attacked by way of hijacked planes crashing into multiple locations between Washington D.C., New York, and Pennsylvania. It took everyone by surprise because no one anticipated that such an organized attack could even occur, therefore there were no solid procedures in place to intercept the hijackers or rescue the thousands of people trapped in the twin towers over 100 floors tall. If you’ve ever listened to accounts of the survivors, you will hear multiple times that there was chaos as everyone was trying to figure out what to do. So many lives were lost on that devastating day, and it changed so many of our country’s security operations going forward.

This was the closest example I could give of how the devil operates. Those terrorists didn’t just randomly show up on September 11th. They came to the US and set up in different locations ahead of time, preparing and planning for these attacks. They studied our operations, watching and learning how we talk and act so that they can blend in as much as possible and not pose as a threat when they arrived at the airport. We were completely disarmed, going about our regular days on what many described as the perfect day with clear blue skies. They succeeded in their mission to pounce on us unaware. 

How can I know I’m under attack?

Two major areas where I believe the enemy is attacking women is in our minds and emotions. He uses fear, discontentment, pride, and disappointment as a conduit for unbelief in hopes that we doubt the goodness of God and His power to help us. If we don’t counter this with biblical truth and the support of spiritual leaders and strong sisters in Christ, we are likely to justify how we feel. Practically speaking, this can manifest through mental fog, depression, anxiety, insomnia, impulsivity, anger, and oppositional behavior amongst many other signs. Most of the time, this slow fade is happening in isolation because we become good at hiding. We do all the things we are supposed to while battling inside alone.

Can you see where this is leading? When the pressure builds we can become reactive, searching for whatever makes us feel better, even if that means compromising and living beneath God’s desire for His people. Pride keeps us from confessing our sin and now we are isolating even more out of shame, which is where the enemy overwhelms us with lies. The church doesn’t really care about you. She really isn’t your friend. If God really was good, He would know that you are struggling and do something about that. Soon, we become apathetic, abdicating our faith and our calling all together. This is exactly where the enemy wants us.  Disarmed and living like an abandoned child instead of an adopted daughter.

 What can I do to be prepared and how can I fight?

 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” -Ephesians 6:11

I do not have the space here to completely quote Ephesians 6, but I highly recommend you read to understand what this armor is. We must know that we can’t fight this spiritual battle by human means.

“Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” -1 Peter 5:9

First, note that this scripture tells you exactly how to resist the devil: by being firm in your faith. If you are listening to messages telling you to follow your heart, or that everything you need is in you, you are going to allow cracks in your foundation. The human condition is very unstable with out Christ. He is the one who helps us to stand firm. Second, I love how we are encouraged to look outside of ourselves to remember we are part of a community of believers, fighting through trials and trusting Jesus just like us. This means we don’t have to live isolated and can find strength in the brotherhood: our church community.

There is so much more I want to say on this, but in closing, if this is where you find yourself right now or if you feel you are headed this direction, the first thing I want you to know is Jesus loves you. He is not ashamed of you, and He will NEVER abandon you (Matthew 28:20). Ladies, we must know that whether we are mothers, wives, entrepreneurs, women in the workplace, or serving heavy in ministry, we must be vigilant. We are valuable in the Kingdom of God and if it were not so, the enemy would not work so hard to make us question our identity. Approach each day with joy knowing that in Christ you ARE victorious. The devil knows a woman that understands who she is and Whose she is won’t be easily shaken. We don’t have time to entertain distractions. Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment in your practical living. Find other like-minded believers and link arms. YOU have been given authority in Christ. It’s time to wage war!

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” -Ephesians 6:12