The Enemy’s Roar

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:14      

 Brothers and Sisters,

Sometimes the lion’s roar is deafening.  My week began in a state of exhaustion and has included a theft of belongings from my vehicle; a myriad of work-related set-backs; holiday stress; a parking ticket… the list of negativity felt like the “12-Days of Christmas Follies”.  I became tired, out of patience, frustrated, and isolated; the roar monopolized my focus.  

Our ability to remain “sober-mind” in the face of the day’s challenges can be a tall order.  I confess, the parking ticket drew out some colorful commentary that I regret (picture the Clark Griswold holiday rant).  As we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth, many of us will also face emotional turmoil that can draw our focus away from His peace.  Make no mistake, the enemy is seeking to draw our focus away from our Lord, surround us with grief and frustration, and influence our attitude to reflect a worldly disposition. 

In times such as these, the Spirit will seek me out, and sometimes, I have the wherewithal to listen.  As I marinaded within the roar earlier this week, a friend called me from out of the blue.  Nearly an hour later, after a conversation delving deep into our spiritual life, I felt the peace that I had lost.  I obtained clarity into the emotions that I had recently been harboring toward everyone and everything.  The next day, as I began to tip back into the gloom, another friend called, and another conversation full of spiritual growth arose.  Again, clarity came into focus, and a Spirit-reinforced resolve to remain sober-minded arose.  The Spirit actively worked through my friends and fellow believers to reestablish the peace that I had lost.  

The season of joy brings its own challenges.  Know that that the Spirit works actively through the world around us, but especially through our fellow believers.  If you find yourself deafened by the enemy’s roaring, take refuge with your fellow believers.  Furthermore, we cannot fathom the grief that can hide behind the faces of family and friends attempting to match the holiday cheer.  Be bold in proclaiming the peace and comfort that the Lord brings into your life; the Spirit will work through you to those in need this season.  

Brother Griswold,

Thomas Goodrich