“One of my friends at work,” I mentioned to Stan one morning, “is really feeling low. It seems that everything he does or tries to do is being attacked on every side by Satan.”
“Is he a believer?” Stan asked.
“Very definitely,” I replied. “He has strong faith in knowing where he’s going when his time here is finished. As well, he is serious about pursing the eternal life of knowing God the Father and Jesus the Son on this side of eternity.”
“But he feels under attack by Satan?” Stan asked.
“He does,” I replied, “and there are times when it’s difficult for me to encourage him.”
“I’ve been in that situation many times,” Stan replied, “and I have found it helpful to pass along something Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War, had to say on the subject.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Winston Churchill is reported to have said, “When you are going through hell, keep going.”
“Keep going,” I replied, “as in not getting stuck under Satan’s influence?”
“Exactly,” Stan said. “Satan just loves to pull us down and get us to focus on how difficult he can make things seem. It’s like he wants us get stuck on him, rather than focusing on what God has us to focus on, which is God and His every provision.”
“So,” I replied, “when Satan is trying to pull me down to focus on how difficult things can seem to be, I am to keep going, not stop where he wants me to be. Is that what you’re saying?”
“That’s it, my friend,” Stan said. “And God has provided all I need to keep going and not get bogged down.”
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Bible verses to consider:
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your provision of everything I need for both sides of eternity. You allowed me to accept by faith your free and gracious provision of life eternally with you when it is time. And you allow me to pursue the eternal life of knowing you and Jesus in an ever-deepening personal relationship. Thank you. I confess that too often I allow myself to be pulled down by the evil one, pulled down to where he wants me to focus on how difficult he can seem to make things for my walk in and with you. Please, Father, help me in not getting stuck in that way, but to follow every step of your lead to exactly where you want me to be in total reliance on you and your provision. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Can you relate to being pulled down by Satan and how important it is go keep going and not get stuck there? Why or why not? Do you think that keeping going in that kind of situation is easier said than done, more wishful thinking than reality? If you feel that, and also sense that you need to focus differently, how is that different focus going to happen? Is that something you would like to see happen in your life? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 