He's a Thief and a Liar

This past week, I attended the Homecoming festivities for one of our local private schools. This particular school is one that I spent three years teaching at, so many of the students there are former students of mine. As I was walking to the concession stand, one of my former students came up to me and said, "Oh, Mrs. Crowe! The new Forensics coach is so much better than you!" 

Now, first let's be clear that I know in my heart of hearts that she was joking. I also know that if this student ever thought she had hurt someone else's feelings, it would devastate her and she would immediately be apologetic.

Here's the problem though.....it really stuck in my head. It became something that overwhelmed my thoughts for weeks. I began thinking how I had failed my students because I was no longer teaching. I failed as a teacher because at this point in my life it has become more important to give my time to my son than to everyone else's kids. I'm a failure because I can't figure out how to balance my time between teaching, being a wife, and having a special needs child.

I found myself emersed in anger as Satan continued his whispers: "You're not enough to keep him happy," and "It's your fault he's autistic." Before I knew what had happened, all I was focused on was my failure as a wife and the guilt for my son's neurological spectrum disorder.

The Bible warns us of these perils.  1 Peter 5:8 tells us to, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." In John, chapter 10 verse 10, Jesus describes Satan as a thief who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy."

So often, our joy is stolen and our lives are destroyed because we choose to believe the lies of Satan. We're not good enough, not smart enough, too fat, too thin, too ugly....We believe we aren't worthy of love. We believe these things and so willingly serve ourselves up as a t-bone steak to the roaring lion. We are consumed by trying to become what we think the world wants us to be instead of simply being exactly as God intended us to be. 

I had to remind myself of what Paul wrote in Romans 16:20, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." I love the vivid language the apostle Paul uses as he writes this verse. Crush! God's victory isn't a mere victory, a narrow victory, but a CRUSHING victory! To crush: annihilate, conquer, strangle, demolish, ruin. 

I'd like to say the Home team had this same kind of victory for Homecoming, but alas, they lost in overtime. Even though they didn't win, God will never fail. We must prepare ourselves as Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-16:

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. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;