The entire last four months have felt like “one of those days” at work.  It seems like my team can’t catch a break. This week seemed more brutal than usual.  Friday, I left work feeling like I had been beat up.  I was physically and mentally exhausted and ready for a nice, relaxing weekend. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen either.  I caught the respiratory virus that has been going around, and feel miserable. It is so easy to get discouraged during times like this. Our minds focus on our problems and we miss all the things around us that are going right.

A wise Christian friend reminded me this week that the devil watches for ways to attack us when we are most vulnerable.  He knows our insecurities and crafts his attacks to hit us exactly when and where we are at our weakest. God tells us this, but also tells us how to fight in Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10-17. It isn’t our strength that will win the battle, it is God’s. He will arm us and strengthen us against whatever attack the devil may launch.

When I remember this, I know how to fight. God has my back.  All I have to do is ask Him to help me.  This sounds so easy but is hard for me because it goes against my natural tendencies.  When I’m stressed, I try to control things.  I don’t like to ask for help because I’m very driven to succeed without relying on others.  I make lists and micromanage tasks I’ve delegated.  See how that works?  The devil knows this about me and preys on my weakness to try to keep me from turning to God. What I really need to do is trust everyone, including God, to do their job.

Whatever your battle, remember that you are fighting against a force you can’t conquer on your own.  Ask God for help.  Our minds are relieved of the full burden of our problems when God is fighting for us. Things begin to look brighter, and the path ahead becomes clear.  Our problems become smaller and we lose our constant focus on them. Instead, our focus shifts to our blessings, which is a much better view.