Dismantle the Attack of the Enemy

 

Everyone knows someone whose family is grappling with challenges, and you may even be facing uncomfortable issues within your own home. We’ve all heard the saying, “a family that prays together stays together.” This simple truth highlights the crucial role that prayer plays in strengthening our family bonds. Because the people we love most are involved, issues can exceed our knowledge and capacity to handle them, leaving everyone’s well-being at stake. We don’t have all the answers, but our Heavenly Father does, and communicating with Him continually should be a daily practice. As 1 Peter 3:12 (NLT) reminds us, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.” This assurance not only encourages us to seek God’s guidance but also extends the confidence that He is listening, ready to support us through our struggles.

Sometimes, issues can seem insurmountable, especially when resources are scarce. I remember a young boy who lived across the street from my family. He had five brothers and sisters, and his parents fought constantly. Every morning on the bus, he smelled as if he hadn’t changed his clothes. One day, he didn’t get on the bus, and he was absent for several days. I later learned from my parents that his family had moved away unexpectedly. His mother had packed them up in the middle of the night after their father came home in a drunken rage, becoming violent and harming her and one of the older children.

I’d like to say that this is something that seldom happens, but all of us know that isn't true. Domestic violence and abuse occur in many families across the globe, leaving lasting scars and trauma on the adults and children who are victims of terrible treatment from the abuser. In some cases, it’s extremely challenging, yet very courageous for a person to leave. If finances and support are minimal, it can feel as though a better life is out of reach, but it is. We can trust with all our hearts that through Christ, peace, comfort, and abundance are never out of reach. God promises in Psalm 34:18 (NLT): “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” 

Jesus Christ instructs us in Mark 11:22 (NLT), "Have faith in God." This instruction is especially crucial during the toughest times of life. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) reminds us, "And it is impossible to please God without faith." From this verse, we can understand how important our faith and trust in God are to Him. When we think that He won't help us, or that He causes hurtful and harmful situations to happen, those thoughts hinder our faith.

Our Heavenly Father is wonderful and loving towards us, as His Word tells us. God's Word is the truth. Romans 10:17 (NLT)  tells us that "faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes from the word of Christ." This means that faith arises wherever the truth of God's Word is spoken. However, when we entertain thoughts that don't align with that truth, we're not moving toward faith, and therefore, we are not pleasing God as we should. 

We have an enemy, satan, and he wants to destroy families and undermine their unity. If we don't recognize this truth, we won't be prepared with the strategies found in God's Word. Growing up in a home that constantly is under the threat of domestic violence is one of the ways satan robs us of joy and happiness--not just for ourselves, but everyone in the home. This is not the Will of God. At times it may seem as if your enemy is constantly getting over, but we have the power to take back the peace, comfort, and abundance that he has stolen from us. 

God provides us with the spiritual weapons and strategies to dismantle the enemy's attacks and plots in Ephesians 6:11-12 (NLT): “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” This passage makes it clear that it is crucial to equip ourselves with truth, righteousness, prayer, and the readiness to spread the gospel of peace. This empowers us to resist the temptations and attacks of the devil that seek to harm our families.

Understanding that our struggle is not merely against people but against spiritual forces helps us recognize the need for vigilance and prayer. By embracing these tools that God has provided, we can confront the challenges we face and protect our loved ones from the destructive influence of the enemy. When we actively engage in spiritual warfare through prayer and the Word of God, we reclaim the authority granted to us as children of God, enabling us to restore peace and unity within our homes. Trust God to help you do this. His Holy Spirit lives in you, and therefore, as Philippians 4:13 declares, you can do all things through Christ. 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Dismantle the Attack of the Enemy”, written by Kim for
https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.