As believers of Jesus Christ who love our families and friends, sometimes the most difficult tests of our faith occur when one of them is attacked. It is even more troubling when our relationships with them suffer as a result. It can be exhausting when it seems that you’re continually praying for a loved one that doesn’t appear to be getting any better. You know that God is faithful and all-powerful, but you also know that He honors free-will, and will never overstep a person’s free-will choice. If they want to remain in addiction, if they don’t want any help—if they’re bent on remaining in a toxic relationship, what can you do?
Getting at us through the people we love is one of the enemy’s tactics. Our lack of knowledge regarding how to respond to this aspect of spiritual warfare is often another blow. The one thing we know that we can never do is put our heads in the sand and behave as if nothing is happening. As sons and daughters of the Most High, not only do we deal with the highs and lows of life, but we’re receiving opposition from powers of darkness—spiritual enemies that want to cancel out our destiny and to harm our relationship with God. We would do well to remember at all times that we’re in the good fight of faith. We have a captain to fight for, soldiers to fight with, and a victorious strategy to fight under.
The one thing that we grossly underestimate is the extent to which we must allow God to work through, in, by, and with us. This is a choice we must make. He will not force us, but seeks to offer us information and direction that will strategically position us to pray and act more effectively on behalf of others and ourselves.
God has given us His Word, and it contains the rules of war by which you and I must govern ourselves. Ephesians 6:10-11(NLT) gives us the first rule of engagement. It tells us “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” If you try to be strong in the power of your own might, things will not turn out nearly as well as they will if you are strong in the power of the Lord’s might. Being strong in His might means that we’re not always going to see how He’s working things out in the background. It is for sure a total walk of faith, where we are not swayed by how things and conditions look.
From your view, your son, daughter, or other loved one may be continuing to make mistake after mistake, and spiraling downward. The inclination of your heart is to sink, but you mustn’t. The enemy will try to do things to make us think it’s a lost cause, but he doesn’t have the final say. God tells us to put on the whole armor that He’s provided—every piece. No part of our Christianity should be left uncovered by our faith in God. Spiritual weaponry is needed for the journey of life, and we don’t have any of our own. Everything that we need to stand against the fiery darts of the enemy has been provided by God. Therefore, you and I can know with every confidence that it is an armor without any failings. God’s only request is that we put it on.
“Put it on” is what we must do when our loved ones are attacked. We have been equipped by God for battle, and as ambassadors for Christ and members of God’s army, helping others stand in the liberty of which we now stand should be our pursuit, pleasure, and allegiance. The ones we love, God loves best. They belong to Him, and their pain will soon bear witness of His grace if we press and faint not. The opposition seeks to make us cower in fear and doubt, but God has commissioned us to stand firm. And when we stand, we’re not just twiddling our thumbs. In Ephesians 6:18(NLT), Heavenly Father tells us exactly what to do, “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
Heavenly Father tells us to stay alert, and this is an extremely important aspect to our relationships. You and I don’t do the heavy lifting when it comes to God’s healing and deliverance. We are conduits and vessels of compassion upon which He can pour out His love and care. Sometimes we’re so busy condemning and judging, that we miss opportunities we should be watching out for. When we pray and trust God’s power, we should also keep our eyes peeled for His instruction and guidance. Through the Holy Spirit that leads us from within, we can be led to engage in meaningful and caring dialogue. God can and will lead us to minister in unique ways if we will be obedient and listen for His directives. We must remember that prayer is open communication whereby we both talk to God and listen to what He has to say.
God placed family and friends within our span of influence for a reason, so that we can be a witness and blessing to them, and them to us. Through our faith and believing, Heavenly Father has given us the privilege to cover our families and friends in prayer. He will renew our strength as we continue to stand on His promises. In our times of intercessory prayer, the Holy Spirit can help us pray in ways we would never think of. God has every resource at His disposal. He doesn’t have to overstep anyone’s free-will, and we can be confident that He is using avenues to bless that you and I can’t imagine. So, our faith should be such that as we take a stand on behalf of those we love, our Heavenly Father is attentive to their needs. He is healing and restoring in a way that will bring Him glory. We must never lose hope!■
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.
“When Our Loved Ones Are Attacked” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2018. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.