Week after week, people who compete in the show ring or rodeo arena go up against nearly all the same competitors they did the week before. In a way, it’s odd. If you beat someone last week, why compete against them again this week? What changes the outcome from one week to the next?
Changing Conditions
Actually, a lot of factors can change the outcome. One week you’re really on. You and your horse are communicating well. He’s responsive to your cues. You have the confidence of a winner. Your timing is flawless. All things are in sync. Meanwhile, the person who won the week before may have an off day.
Coombs Rodeo by Moosealope
We face another opponent repeatedly – every day of our lives. Satan. Some days he wins us over, some days we stand firm in our faith.
Perfect Conditions
I’ve noticed that there are certain times and specific ways he gets to me. When I’m tired. When I’ve not exercised or have been eating poorly. When a full schedule runs me ragged. Those are the times that I hear his lies more prominently and the truth of who I am in God’s eyes less so. I doubt my worth in God’s eyes. I am discouraged. I know he gets me in these times, so my best defense is to get sleep, stick to my diet and exercise routine, strike a balance in my schedule.
Sometimes he causes me to doubt God and his goodness and faithfulness. I find myself asking “Why me?”, “Why has this happened?”, “What have I done to deserve this?”, rather than trusting that whatever comes my way has been filtered through the love of God.
A Formidable Opponent
We need to consider Satan our most formidable opponent – the one we always want to beat. We need to train in this competition as we would for one in the arena. Day after day, we need to read the Bible, pray and surround ourselves with godly friends. We need to take care of ourselves and maintain a healthy balance in all things so that we don’t get overwhelmed and stressed. I also like to memorize scripture so that when I realize I’m listening to Satan’s lies, I can quote scripture repeatedly until my thoughts realign with God’s Truth.
Remember, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (NIV)
