Don't let your shield down.

When life it's hard it is easy to understand that Satan is working and that life is very difficult. We've all been there and we know what it feels like. What about the times that life is going great and God is doing amazing things in our lives? Is our shield up then? Are we conscious of the fact that Satan is still working like crazy when things are going well? I feel that is when he works the most and I think that's our biggest problem when life goes difficult. I know for me I don't have my shield up most of the time when life is peachy and that's why I get bummed out, frustrated, and angry.

When God was getting tempted by Satan he never gave in. I know we can't be perfect but we need to strive to be like God and always remember that Satan can strike at anytime and that we need to be ready. We need to be praying constantly to God. I never realized how strong the power of prayer was before until about a year ago. I had mentor type people tell me that when you're struggling with the little things you need to say a little prayer to God and even that little prayer can work wonders. Even if you feel it's something stupid to pray about... God doesn't and He can use that and have it be amazing! There was a time that I was driving to hang out with friends. I started to struggle with certain thoughts and I had just talked to an amazing lady of God who suggested praying about the little things and so right then and there I turned off my music and I prayed. I asked God to take these thoughts and feelings away and that I am strong in Him and Satan is no longer welcomed. After I prayed I turned up my praise and worship music and I could feel those thoughts and feelings slowly fade away. It was the most awesome feeling ever and it was so weird how I immediately felt God working.

We just need to remember that in the bad times but also the good times we need to keep our focus and thoughts on Jesus and pray continuously for God to keep us on track.

Luke 4:13- When the devil had finsihed all his tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Christ's defeat of the devil in the desert was decisive but not final. Throughout His ministry, Jesus would confront Satan in many forms. Too often we see temptation as once and for all in reality, we need to be constantly on guard against the devil's ongoing attacks. Where are you most susceptible to temptation right now? How are you preparing to withstand it?