Like a Virus

by Heather Tietz

Through God we will do valiantly, for it is he who will tread down our adversaries.

Psalm 60:12

Viruses are invisible enemies.

They sneak inside our healthy cells and trick them, turning them into factories that produce more infections. Our cells do the dirty work, with no idea that they are being manipulated.

Viruses are not the only invisible enemy that attacks us.

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

There is another enemy we can’t see. It uses weapons we aren’t expecting. It manipulates situations in ways we don’t realize.

Those people we struggle with– our bosses, family, neighbors, government, or the leaders of other nations – are not our real battles. The true enemy, like a virus, is unseen, manipulating situations and provoking the evils we see in others.

How can we battle the unseen? We have one weapon: prayer. We must ask God to fight for us. Then He can empower us to stand firm in love, to act in kindness, and to offer peace to those that look like our adversaries, but aren’t. Then we will be valiant.

We will win in God’s eyes, and we will begin to win over those around us.

Pray

Dear God.
Help me to remember that my enemies aren’t people.
Empower me to love those around me in spite of how they treat me.
I give You my battles with others.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.