Combating Satan's Assault During Times of Grief
2Corinthians 2:11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes (NIV)
Sometimes as Christians it is easier to think of things in worldly terms than deal with the cold hard reality of the spiritual war we face every day. But we do so at our own peril. The truth that we must know and be wary of every day is that there is an enemy to our soul. His name is Satan and God Himself has warned us through His Word that he roams to and fro seeking whom he might devour, as a roaring lion might. One of the things a lion does best when attacking a herd of animals is picking out the weakest. Similarly, Satan will pick out the weaker of us to attack and then attack the individual weaknesses we all have. It is no wonder then that Satan will choose times of great grief and turmoil in our lives to step up his attack.
While we often can see the hand of the enemy in the event that has caused our grief, we fail to recognize that the assault may not be over. But the devil will use that grief to further do damage to others if we are not wary of his schemes. Our key verse clearly lets us know that the way to ensure that Satan does not win is to be aware of the schemes he will use. The first strategy the devil uses is divide and conquer. The devil wants us alone beloved because it is far easier to attack us that way. The bible teaches us:
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 (NLT)
Times of great grief or struggle often prompt us to want to withdraw. We can feel cut off from others who may not understand our level of pain. Most will move on quicker with their lives than we might, causing some resentment. We also may begin to feel burdensome to people who often would prefer to hear that we are "blessed and highly favored", rather than we are struggling and in pain. The truth is that we can be blessed and highly favored and still be in pain. But we live in such a "me-centric" society that people would prefer to get back to worrying about their own lives. We can sense that in our grief and start to draw back, so as to not be that burden to our friends or family.
We must resist the urge to withdraw and be alone in our suffering. That is the battleground Satan desires. The verses from Ecclesiastes show us that success is enhanced with two. If we fall alone we can find ourselves in real trouble. Think about that for a moment. Grief can easily turn into depression if left unchecked. We can easily "fall" into those lies of the enemy. If we do fall into them and we are alone, who will be there to pick us up? That is the point God is making. During times of great coldness in our lives, we need someone else to warm us up. Sometimes we can grow spiritually cold when we grieve and we need someone to warm us spiritually. To remind us what God has said. A person standing alone can be easily attacked but if I am standing with my brother or sister, than Satan has to defeat me as well. We must resist the urge to withdraw in our pain. We were meant to be there for each other.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6: 2 (NIV)
