Have you ever been so mad that you just want to break something (or someone)? When rage spirals out of control, it can cause us to say or do things that are not only completely out of character, but also result in negative consequences.

In the movie, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the protagonist is given this wise counsel “Remember who the real enemy is.” Seemingly simple words, but on their weight, Katniss was able to re-evaluate her position and avoid making a bad decision on the basis of her feelings.

Feelings and gut reactions can overwhelm and blind side us to hidden things beneath the surface.  As I shared in a previous post, I once heard a pastor preach that conflict is hardly ever about the obvious – there’s always something more serious going on.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself encountering what seems like a constant stream of upsetting situations.  After getting worked up and down like a yo-yo, I finally heard a whisper of the Holy Spirit asking if there wasn’t something more to these annoyances than met the eye.  Was the enemy doing a number on my emotions so that I would be more focused on them than on being grateful to God for His blessings in my life?

1 Peter 5:8-9a says ‘Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith…”

How do we resist the enemy?  By immersing ourselves in God’s word, which in turn, increases our faith.  As we focus more on God, He blocks out all competing distractions, and we’re able to hear what He has to say to and for us.

So I will piggy back off Suzanne Collins’ words of wisdom, with a twist.  Rather than remembering who the real enemy is, may we remember the truth of who our God is and who we are in Him.  In such blessed remembering, the enemy and his tactics fade away.

Be blessed,

R

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