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The past couple of weeks has been….uncanny.

Unusual circumstances  have piled up to make me notice a strange pattern:

A woman rear-ended the side of my car in the parking garage. Nobody hurt, but massive inconvenience.

I woke up last Saturday to find I was locked inside my hallway. We’ve never locked that door before, but suddenly the lock was broken, not moved by a key or by heavy shoves.

While taking an UBER ride for the first time, I was rear-ended on the freeway. Again, no injuries, but a bit of a hassle.

Add to this growing list of “weird coincidences” :

An offensive conversation.
A night of restless sleep.
A confrontation from a long-time friend.

I could go on, but suffice it to say, there is sufficient data. With circumstances piling up, it seems obvious to me that the enemy of my soul is waging war. And so I put on my armour, as Paul tells us to in Ephesians 6:11:

Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes

I’m not quick to blame the devil. In fact, I shudder when people use spiritual warfare as an excuse for personal irresponsibility. However, I am reminded that “the adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8-10).

So I’m fighting back with a great strategy that Peter outlines:

1. Be sober-minded. (1 Peter 5.8a) The enemy wants to attack my mind and use circumstances to change my thoughts. It’s no coincidence that the previous verse states: “cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Whenever I sense the enemy at work, I remind myself anew that my God cares for me deeply. The greatest lie the enemy will use is to cast doubt on the character of God. (C’mon Eve….have a bite. God didn’t forbid you to eat, did He?)

2. Be watchful. (1 Peter 5.8b) Be alert and aware that there is an enemy of our souls, without living in fear. Be attentive.

3. Resist him. Remember that “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.” I belong to Christ, and am protected by Him. My God is greater. Resistance training builds muscles as well as faith.

I hope you experience victory in your walk with Jesus, and that you will join me in fighting back when you sense the enemy starting a battle. Victory is ours in Jesus!