Small problems, big problem

Welcome to Unseen. Today I want too share a lesson I learned, like so many others, the hard way. Read on to learn about the danger of small problems.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Ephesions 6 10.

Once upon a time, there was an explorer in the Amazon. He was very brave and could handle almost anything. He faced down a leopard and survived an attack by a wild boar. He escaped from the strangling embrace of a python. He didn’t bat an eye at the storms that came. He learned to find food in the most unlikely places to keep his supplies from running out. When he died everyone was surprised. He was brave and skilled. What could have taken him out? The answer? Fleas. He had been bitten and the bites became infected. No amount of bravery could stop the poison running through his veins.

In the last few weeks, I have been dealing a lot with forgiveness and let go of 4 long-standing resentments toward people at my church. (Surely you don’t have any resentments toward people at your church, but I did.) Well, I thought that things would be a lot better at church, because I was not dragging in my baggage with me. It was, too, but the enemy was not through with the war just because I had won the battle. I was cranky and touchy. Everything was getting on my nerves, from the percussion instruments to the crying babies to the air conditioner. Things that I can always overlook seemed huge and I ended up having to go into the prayer room to get myself together.

The enemy of our souls is clever and ruthless. He will not give up when you win a battle. He may come with a sneak attack or magnify small things, which can be just as damaging as big storms, because they wear you down. When Jesus faced him down and overcame him after his 40 days in the desert, the Bible says he left him for a more opportune time. (Matthew 4:11). My temptations probably don’t look the same as yours. The enemy is not going to waste his time tempting me with drugs, but hurt feelings, guilt trips or self-pity are awfully effective on me. 1 Peter 5:8 says the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  We have to be on our guard and we have to put on our armor.(Ephesians 6) What if one of our marines went out on guard duty in the desert, but did not wear his helmet or flak jacket or take his weapon? We can’t do that either.  Hold each other up and work to resist temptations, large or small.