An effective strategy in war is to catch the enemy unaware. Attack in such a way that they are unprepared and not looking for an attack. Satan does that with us. In the previous blog we saw signs of spiritual attacks which can be subtle and slip in unnoticed at first. These can include mental confusion, feeling guilty and condemned and spiritually dull. Or it could be that temptations increase and sin and wrong choices seem more attractive. These can be effective tactics and Satan has spent thousands of years learning how to use them to perfection. But when they don’t work he, like any good commander, resorts to an all-out frontal attack. In this blog we’ll look at 2 more signs of spiritual attack. These are more obvious, out-in-the open circumstances designed to overwhelm us.
3. SUDDEN SUNAMI OF PROBLEMS, DIFFICULTIES, TRIALS AND STRESSES IN LIFE. These things will always be part of life, but when several seem to hit all at once it may be more than just coincidence. It may be a well-coordinated attack. When a lot of things start coming seemingly out of nowhere it can seem hard to think straight. If prayer doesn’t seem to help and we start questioning what God is doing. It is common when lots of things hit at once to go to one of two extremes: quit and feel depressed and sorry for ourselves or attack in our flesh and try to solve everything at once in our own strength. Satan doesn’t care which of these we choose for we end up in defeat either way. When it seems strange that so much is going wrong all at once, consider spiritual warfare.
What to do? Learn from Job, who was hit with an unbelievable amount of trouble all at once. He lost all his finances, crops and servants. His children were all killed. And Satan was behind it all. Still, he kept his faith in God, even though he didn’t understand what God allowed it all to happen. “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21). “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)
4. ALLOUT FRONTAL ATTACK OF PHYSICAL DANGER, ILLNESS OR LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS. When more subtle attacks don’t work, demons may attack in full force. That’s not his favorite way to work, though, because when overwhelmed and out of control we are quicker to turn to God for help. When we think we can do something about it ourselves we often do, leaving God out until we need Him as a last resort. Satan is a thief, a roaring lion, and preys on God’s people and attacks us in battles we don’t see coming. He desires to silence our voices and take us out of this world to shut off the light of God’s love and hope through Christ. Many of us may have experienced near death experiences, sudden and terrible illness, or holding loved ones who were at the brink of heaven. And yet God intervened to keep us here longer. There’s many stories in the Bible of God’s people under great physical attack and danger, and so many miracles that God performed to bring them safely through. Even when it didn’t make sense. Even when it seemed to be the end.
What to do? It’s been said that the best thing to do when surrounded and outnumbered is to attack! Go on the offensive. Use the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12) when you pray and worship. Read the Word. Quote the Word. Apply the Word. Trust in God and don’t be afraid, for fear is one of Satan’s greatest weapons (Joshua 1:9). Don’t believe the enemies lies about God or your circumstances.
God could prevent any and all of these attacks, but He allows them because He uses them for our growth and His glory (Romans 8:28-29). They are opportunities for us to trust Him and grow spiritually. We become more like Jesus as we allow God to refine us through these things. Don’t just try to end them. Instead seek what you can learn from them and why God might be allowing them in your life. Never doubt His love or His sovereign control. Trust Him. He knows what He is doing. A young child must trust their parents even when they don’t understand why they allow certain difficult things to happen to them. Trust God even when you don’t understand. He knows what He is doing!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do you know of anyone who may be going through one of these direct attacks by the enemy? Pray for them now.
Contact them today to offer help and encouragement. Don’t let them fight their battles alone.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India, Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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