Have things been happening that make it difficult to have a positive attitude?  Does the future look fairly bleak with little hope of improving?  Are you being perplexed by a financial problem, poor health, relationship concerns or problems at work?  Or, it could be the mess that is developing in Washington, D.C. with the political chaos.  Take away one’s hope and the future becomes a struggle and unhappiness takes over.

Ephesians 6:12 – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

How we live and the decisions we make can be influenced by: “The powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Who would ever have considered that Satan may have deceived you or caused your problem?  Could it have been dating the wrong person, buying a home you could not eventually afford, selecting the wrong occupation or a physical accident leaving you disabled?  If something horrible may have happened to you could you have been duped by unseen spiritual forces of evil?  Living in America, who would ever consider being led astray to make bad decisions or having an accident possibly caused by evil forces?  Doesn’t the Bible teach this is possible?

Most of us have never witnessed real misery. Many of our complaints are minor but at the time they feel like they are major undertakings.  Any time I encounter a problem I think of what the Apostle Paul went through or the Book of Job.

Job 7:17 – 21 – “What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention, that you examine them every morning and test them every moment?  Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? If I have sinned, what have I done to you, you who sees everything we do? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?  Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more.”

Job was living a blameless life and was beginning to doubt if it was worth it.  He was suggesting that God was not being fair.  Satan is always trying to get us to give up on God.  No matter how great our suffering seems it is never an excuse to reject God.  Have there ever been times that you may have felt that God was your enemy and He was punishing you?  Why is it that some blame God for their troubles when in reality it was coming from the devil? Satan has continually deceived the world and all who live in it.  Any troubles you may encounter and he is there to blame it on God.  Christians realize that thoughts and inspiration come from the Holy Spirit.  Can thoughts not also come the same way from evil spirits even though we cannot explain it?  We must be able to detect the difference and it comes with spiritual maturity.

I believe the Book of Job was to teach us that our advisory was not God but Satan.  It was Satan who was causing all of Job’s problems.  Like most of us, rarely do we blame our troubles on the devil.  We keep wondering why God would allow this tragedy to happen to us.  But the following Scripture tell us.

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose.”

A friend of ours lost a son through suicide and detested this verse.  She often asked: “How could anything good come out of that situation?”  That has been a tough question for me to answer.  Our attitude and our relationship with God leave us either in despair or hope that God has something good planned for us in the future.   Remember the blessings and prosperity that Job later received?

Romans 8:26 & 27 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

When the devil is messing with our lives, it helps to know that the Holy Spirit within us is there to help solve any and every situation that occurs.  God says He will never let us have more difficulties than we can take.  Just remember: no matter how bad things get, God knows your limitations.  The worse things get, the more confidence God has in you.

Do not try solving problems on our own as so many of us do.  The Holy Spirit is within to comfort, guide and help through any situation.  But you will not get as much help if you continually ignore Him.  Got a problem?  Ask for help!  You have God, Christ and the Holy Spirit Who love you.  Do you think your problem is too big for them?