By Rev. René François
I really love the saying “The Devil saw me with my head down and thought he’d won— until I said amen.”
I've had times in my life when I have been spiritually and emotionally driven to my knees by defeat. But in each case, the defeat was followed by victory. This is a pattern that I’ve seen time-and-time-again. The key to each victory was faith and perseverance. Looking back on these events and taking them into account as a whole, I can now see the larger picture...I can see the pattern. I can now connect the dots.
It would have been easy for me to have given up after suffering defeat, failure and humiliation. That’s exactly what the enemy wanted me to do. And that is what the enemy wants you to do! That’s always the goal of the forces that come against God’s people. But take heart, the trials and tribulations of this world only serve to make us stronger. As stated in James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
The enemy’s attacks are meant to break your spirit. But each attack—each trial—actually makes you stronger if you are willing to stand firm in your faith and truly trust that the Spirit that dwells within you is greater than “he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). I can clearly see that I am much stronger and wiser for having gone through the trials that I’ve had to endure. Each time, I’m sure the Devil saw me with my head down and thought I was defeated and down for the count only to see me rise again to fight another day.
You, my friend, are here for a reason. You have a God-given purpose for being on this earth. However, the enemy also has a purpose. That purpose is to thwart your efforts to realize God’s purpose for your life. Be encouraged to boldly pursue the thing God has placed in your heart to accomplish. Be relentless! And be assured that with prayer, faith, action and perseverance, you will succeed. You may lose a battle or two along the way, but you will win the war. Take time to regroup and recover if necessary, but never surrender! I guarantee you will live to fight another day. If you remain faithful, you will come back even stronger than before. And when you do, there will be no stopping you! I declare in Jesus’ mighty name that victory is yours. It is already done! Now, accept it and press on! Amen.🕊
Rev. René François is a chaplain at Providence Little Company Of Mary Medical Centers, Torrance, CA. & San Pedro, CA. and provides spiritual care to hospice patients throughout Southern California. Rev. René is also founder of #RenéFrançoisLovingLifeMinistries.