Speaking of the Devil

…Jumping out of the frying pan into the fire; Always screaming out the devil is a liar. Truth is we’ve all lost touch; And I don’t think the devil talkin’ that much… ~lyrics from Make It, by Mali Music

Do you ever find yourself saying, “man, the devil is busy?” I know there was a time when I find myself saying that a lot.  It just felt like so much going on that appeared to be works of the devil. I had to stop and truly look at some situations and I thought, is it really the works of the devil or is it me?

Reality is, it ain’t always the devil.  Sometimes I think we give the devil too much credit. Why? Probably because we don’t want to take responsibility for our own actions.  Look at your life, what does it look like to you? Is it a pretty picture? Or does it need some restructuring?  I remember going through a tough time at my job a few years ago and thinking, “Lord, the devil is busy.”  Although I truly believe he WAS and is always busy, at that time, what I was experiencing wasn’t the devil. 

See, I had been working at my previous employer for about 5 years at the time. I had never gotten into any trouble. Always did what I was supposed to and pretty much had an easygoing job. The atmosphere at the workplace was pretty cool and calm.  My co-workers and I were very supportive of each other which made for a great working environment. Well, that changed upon getting a new manager of the program.  The company wanted to hire someone to light a fire under us (I assume) and it shook my world completely up. I’d gotten written up for the first time (for something that was not my fault, I must add) within months of the new manager being hired.  I, then, got subpoenaed for a court case that had been giving me trouble since I started working with the client. This caused serious anxiety because there were some things I realized I had not done while counseling this person that were being questioned and brought up.  It caused me to question my ability to do my job, and if I was doing the right things.  It made me take a step back and say, “God, what am I doing? What is going on?  A job I once liked is becoming a pain in my butt!! The devil is having a field day.”  I found myself in constant prayer for change and seeking spiritual guidance.  Something had to give.  Then I realized, I was getting exactly what I had asked for.  I had been asking God to make me better. I wanted to do more with my life and myself. I felt like I wasn’t reaching my potential and was becoming complacent.  Sometimes you have to become uncomfortable in order to be propelled to do something different.  Remember, PRESSURE BUILDS DIAMONDS!! I was being put through the fire for a reason and that was to be better. When you walk with God, the road is not always going to be peachy. He puts you through some not-so-pleasant stuff to build you.  It wasn’t the devil because if it was, I wouldn’t be where I am now.  Because I continued to pray and focus on His word, the devil was defeated. In the words of Curtis Payne (from Tyler Perry’s House of Payne), “the devil thought he had me….,” but I refused to give the devil control of my life.

When things are going crazy for you, stop and think, is this really the devil or is it God preparing you for something? Or maybe it is just time to look at yourself and see what is going on in your life that could be causing the chaos. It is also important to know that sometimes we need a wake up call!!! If the devil truly is wreaking havoc in your life, perhaps, you have caused it.  Let’s be real, we are not perfect. We are human. When things appear to be falling apart or looking bad in your life, it could be the fact that maybe your ways have caught up with you.  As Christians, sometimes we may need a reality check.  Often times we stray away, because the other side looks more enticing, but what happens is, things start to happen to remind you of who you are and whose you are. God allows things to strip you so that all you have is Him to focus on.  To remind you of who has the last say.

Sure, the enemy likes to stir up trouble in this world, but you have to know who you are in the mist of his destruction. As long as there are things like hate in this world, the devil will be in the midst.  That is why you MUST ALWAYS remember to wear the full armor of God to fight against the wiles of the devil. Whenever it seems like the “devil is busy” in your personal life, take some time to examine yourself, and ask, “is it really the devil? Or is God trying to tell me something?”

Be Blessed!!

…³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. ~Romans 5:3-5…