Satan is a Bully

The most powerful bully we will ever encounter attacks in ways that we may not even recognize as his work.  Satan is a bully with many tactics, and he will use absolutely anyone or anything to initiate his attacks.  He will attack your relationships, your health, your confidence, and your ministry.  There is absolutely no part of your life that he considers off limits.  He will use the actions and words of people around you to cause doubt, confusion, and insecurities in yourself.  He will cause  widespread chaos in your life in an attempt to knock you down physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

He attacks when you are weak.  He doesn’t care how much you’ve already been through or even what you are currently going through.  He attacks when you are strong.  His goal is to bring you down, to discourage you, to break your faith in God.  He purposely seeks you out.  Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).    

The defenses we teach children to guard against the attacks of a bully can also be helpful with the attacks we face daily from Satan.

• Walk away – Turn your back on Satan or any issue he throws your way and turn your focus instead to God.  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
• Go tell a teacher/adult – Run to God.  Tell Him what’s going on.  I assure you that He already knows what’s going on, but running to Him shows that you trust Him to take care of you.  He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield (Psalm 144:2).
• Stay calm – Don’t let fear of what Satan is doing control your thoughts and emotions because God is with you.  Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
• Ask for help – Seek support from Christian friends.  Let them know you are struggling, so that they can encourage and pray for you.  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
• Stand up for yourself – Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11).

When Satan attacks, seek God’s direction for reassurance that you are doing what He’s called you to do.  If you are in His will, don’t stop.  Keep pushing forward no matter what seeds Satan tries to plant in your heart or mind.  I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27)