Not Today Satan

David is our oldest son and this is his first year to play tackle football. When the school year started he didn’t want to sign up. Since all of his friends were on the team he decided to try out. Even though he got started a few weeks after everyone else,  he’s been able to catch up quickly.

Yesterday, at breakfast David told Chad and me that there is one boy on the team who follows him around the field. He stays on David’s heals through the whole practice pointing out every mistake he makes and telling David he should just quit the team.

You can imagine, as a mother, the thoughts of protection and defensiveness that immediately came to my mind. But I know our son. He is not one to back down. And honestly, I can’t think of any better training for real life than to have someone on your heels telling you to give-up. Chad and I listened, told him to ignore the guy and keep showing up.

Yesterday, when David got in the car he told me that he had “handled” the guy who wanted him to quit the team. I was a little afraid know but had to ask, “Oh, yeah? What happened?” 

“We were tackling and hitting in practice today, so I just aimed for him every time. I took him down every time. Finally, when he would see me coming, he would start running away backwards.”

I wish real life were more like 7^th grade tackle football. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to put on a padded suit and helmet and literally “take down” all people and circumstances in life that constantly try to get us to give up or quit the team?

We do have a very real enemy! The Word of God tells us that we are not warring against flesh and blood. We are not at war with each other. The battle is spiritual. 

In Ephesians 6:10-18 we are instructed to “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

I don’t know about you, but I won’t be run off the field today. I’m suited up in the strength and power of the Lord, I have meaningful work to do and It’s time to send the enemy running backwards.

Who or what is it trying to discourage you today? Don’t give up! Take strength in the Lord, stand and fight.