When I think about spiritual warfare, I’m always reminded of the Book of Job in the Old Testament. We can’t know how much time elapsed between each tribulation Job experienced, but his account informs us that he lost everything. He lost his wealth, all his children died, his health declined, leaving him to suffer miserably, and his reputation tanked. His friends assumed he was going through all of that because he had sinned against God. They were, at best, antagonistic. He called them his “miserable comforters”, and indeed they were. With only he and his wife left, you would expect her to be the one source of abiding comfort, but even she gave in to despair and frustration, telling him in Job 2:9 (NLT), “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
Job’s record came up in a conversation I had with another Christian recently. We’re mutual friends of a couple that is really struggling to hold their marriage together. Both had enjoyed great success in their careers, but the husband was laid off suddenly, and financial woes are weighing heavily on them. They seem to be enduring one blow after another, and my Christian friend said to me, “For them to be going through so much, they must be doing something that’s really wrong. They must be living outside the Will of God.”
Galatians 6:7 (NLT) tells us, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” This truth lets us know that everything has a cost. If we put sinful actions out there, they will boomerang back to us, and do so with a consequence heavier than our original wrong action. This is how life works; it’s law. Even so, not every hardship is a direct result of our own intentional sinful actions. Sometimes Christians endure seasons of spiritual warfare because we need to be spiritually sharpened for the next level of blessings and growth. An opening may exist where our faith isn’t fortified by a renewed mind and heart, and the enemy has found a way in. Jesus Christ sheds light on this in Matthew 13:19 (NLT), where he says, “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart.” This shows that the enemy can exploit areas of vulnerability in our lives.
When it just gets so bad, it feels overwhelming, but the answer is not to cower in a corner somewhere. Galatians 6:9 (NLT) encourages us, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” In times of spiritual warfare, the last thing we should ever do is give up. We have to hold on to God’s promises during those moments of struggle. And let’s not forget that the enemy wants us to grow weary, doubt, or stop pressing forward in faith, because he is a deceiver and tries to trick us into forking over our strength. No matter his schemes and deceptions, we have to hold firmly to our identity in Christ.
We are not defeated, and the devil’s attacks do not have the final say. God does! He assures us in Romans 8:37 that in Christ, we are more than conquerors, so we are victorious in Christ even when it feels like we’re losing ground. When we’re in a spiritual battle, it’s time to pour out heaps of faith in God. In Ephesians 6:10-11 (NLT), Paul reminds us, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Our own strength won’t work in a spiritual battle, but this isn’t a problem for the believer because our Heavenly Father has equipped us with His armor, His power, and His promises. This is what allows us to stand firm no matter what the enemy throws our way.
God is working behind the scenes to bring about a harvest of blessings in His perfect timing. But in reality, it can be a challenge to be encouraged by this truth when you’re just trying to make it through each day. Feeling overwhelmed, it’s hard to see how things are going to get better when you’re in the thick of it. You feel like nothing is changing, and it seems impossible. This is usually when the enemy starts whispering lies, trying to convince us that we’re stuck. God sees, and He tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that His strength works best in weakness. So, when our backs are against the wall, our humility opens the door for Him, and we must have faith that He will work everything out.
God is still at work in you, even though it might feel like everything is falling apart. Philippians 1:6 (NLT) says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” The struggle you’re facing right now is not the end of the story. He is working behind the scenes, and He is also working in you through His Holy Spirit. He’s shaping and refining you, preparing you for what’s ahead. It might not make sense now, but trust that He is faithful to finish what He started. You don’t have to carry it all alone. God wants you to bring your anxieties, fears, and frustrations to Him. Even in the worst of times, trust His plan for your life and have faith that He will use everything for His glory and your ultimate good. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“When It Just Gets So Bad”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.