Topic: Spiritual War
Throughout our lives, we faced many sufferings and struggle in order to work the things right. For examples, when we try to live our lives in our workplaces. Some of us try to communicate with the new people and share our beliefs and faiths. Or some of us would face the major decisions on which way we should go as we listen to the other people's advice. Some of us have physically disabilities, and we face the sufferings and struggles through the days to learn and communicate with other people. These and other problems are not only ones we face physically, but, also, we are suffering and struggling against the spirits in the darkness as well. Like Job, when he suffered and struggled against Satan during his life. Jesus, He who fought against the tempter in the wilderness after the forty days and nights of fasting.
Let me ask you this question: Have you wonder why God let you have sufferings and struggles? I often ask myself that one question as I go on with my life. I came from to this country. I experienced many circumstances and I cannot solve my life crisis. Being an orphan boy was one thing I had. But, now, I face many other challenges than when I was in the orphanage in the 1980s.
Early in year 2001, I faced the major spiritual battle while I'm in Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center of Virginia to do my job training. As I listened to the people around me, my mind was beginning to confuse about which way I should go. Satan was trying to use the people to tempt another person and me with our friendship. It left my heart and soul burning in the fire. But thank God that He provided me some Christian friends to overcome this difficult obstacle with me. It is not easy to overcome many challenges, especially in the spiritual round. Satan may swallow you up if you cannot find some resources to win this kind of battle.
Read II Corinthians 12:7-10 and look into Paul's special blessing, he discovered something that helps to understand why he faced many trials in his life. In this passage, we find that Paul had been faced with many obstacles and begged God to help him. His problems were not from God or from the people, but from Satan.
This is the same way that our problems occur. Satan tries to destroy our lives, too, by using anything that he can to control our minds and spirits, such as money, the media, relationships, and other things he can use to destroy our souls. The Henry Potter Movie is the one of tools that Satan could teach the children how to become witchcraft, which they could receive the same power as God has, for example. These techniques Satan tries to use to destroy our relationship with God in our lives. If you would like to have more details about today’s occult, I would strongly suggest read what God’s Word said about this subject, especially in Leviticus 19.
But Paul discovered something else, too, in II Corinthians 12:9-10. He didn't discover this on his own, but from God. Paul discovered that all his pains occurred because of two reasons.
First, he can live with Christ's power. Without Christ and His power, we would not go pass through our difficulties. But what does He give us as individuals? Love? Salvation? Talent? Whatever He gave you, use it to overcome your sufferings and struggles. Don't stand there. Use the gifts He already has given you. Satan cannot stand against the gifts we have.
Second reason is restoring our energy. In verse 10, Paul said, "…when I am weak, then I am truly strong." The battles that we're facing will not last forever. When Paul mentioned the last phrases, he meant when we feel tired, then we need to take the time off to restore our strengths. For doing that, we need to go to God's word and prayer to refresh our spirits and be ready to face our problems again.
“And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV.) Our battles are not against people or ourselves, but against the Prince of Darkness. We cannot fall into one of devil's traps if we are willing to walk with God everyday. Maybe you are searching for answers to your issues and need someone. The best way to do that is finding some Christian friends in your church or community, but mostly to go with God, because He has all the answers.
I don't know what circumstances you're facing, but God knows. He knows every answer to our problems. Max Lucado said, "He doesn't come quarreling and wrangling and forcing his way into anyone's heart." No. That is not what God does. God brought His Son, Jesus, to this world, to fight for our sins and fill us with His strength, power, hope, faith, and love.
Are you communicating with God everyday basis to get the resources what you need for your upcoming battles? If you are truly in God's family, don't waste your time with your activities and call God for help in the last minute. Instead, train yourself with God for your next battle with Satan.
First Timothy 4:8 says, in the New Century Version, "Training your body helps you in some ways, but serving God helps you in every way by bringing you blessings in this life and in the future life, too."
