Not Today, Satan

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Mid-Week Motivation

Some days we wake up energized with a song in our hearts ready to take on the world.  Other days we wake up grumpy and focused on the dark cloud looming above us rather than its silver lining.

Ever stub your toe first thing in the morning and greet the day with a few expletives or euphemisms for expletives? Run into your ex and his  perfect, new girlfriend at church? Drop a ring down the garbage disposal that you borrowed from a friend?  What about getting up on the wrong side of the bed?   Perhaps it’s 12° outside, your gas tank is running on fumes, and you left your wallet at home. Yeah, that was my reality this morning. To all those things, let’s just say “Not today, Satan!”

I’ve noticed that I’m most vulnerable to his attacks when I’m tired, hungry, or homesick. Just when I figure out my triggers and devise a strategy to counter his attacks, he adds a twist to his tricks — proving that his moniker suits him. He’s a devil! After we succumb to his attacks, we usually feel used, dirty, and remorseful.

Recall how he tempted Christ in Matthew 4:2-11 after a lengthy fast. Our savior was ravenous and weak. Satan saw his opportunity and pounced! He challenged Christ to turn stones into bread–assuming it would end favorably for him since Christ was visibly weakened from his forty day fast.  Instead, he was met with a resounding no. Next, he told him to prove his identity by throwing himself from a high point — again assuming that Christ was at a low point. He even used scripture as his argument.  Slick move, Satan. Again, his attempts were rebuked.  Finally, he pulled out all the stops and offered Christ the world. This, too, was an epic fail. Silly Satan, tricks are for kids.

After these foiled attempts to lure Christ to the dark side, our Savior sternly told Satan to be gone!  In other words, Not today, Satan!  Shortly thereafter, angels surrounded him and attended to his needs.  We, too, need angels to attend to us when we’ve been tempted or just having a bad day.  Our friends and family are those angels here on Earth who can look at our dilemmas with fresh eyes and help us put things in perspective.  Rely on them.  Don’t be a Gloomy Gus or Negative Nancy all day today.  Actively seek out your angels, and be thankful that God  has commanded them to guard you in all your ways.

Note — In case you’re a little worried about me, I only experienced one of the scenarios above.  Can you guess which one?

Published by Principle Michelle

Principle Michelle is a middle school leader, master teacher, and a Certified Parent Empowerment Coach. She currently resides in the Washington D.C. area where she serves kids and their parents who have entrusted her to help them navigate the middle years. Principle Michelle loves "the middle" -- it's the place where the rubber meets the road. Kids in middle school are at a pivotal stage in their lives, and they can go left or right. Because this is where God positioned her, she gets to direct and guide middle school students in the way that they should go. She also enjoys helping families build strong biblical foundations by offering them strategies, resources, and tools to help them to train up their kids and to build the life God intended.

18 Thoughts

  3. “Silly Satan, Tricks are for kids”! LOVE THAT!!!
    I am gonna repost this because, well, yesterday was a day… not as bad as yours, but well, bad enough…
    ENOUGH SATAN!!
    Blessings,
    Vicki

    Reply

  4. Reblogged this on HORSES DIRT AND MOTHERHOOD and commented:
    I am reblogging this post today because well, I NEEDED this encouragement today and I am sure some of you do to. My day wasn’t as bad as hers, it was just an all around irritating day. I love her line, “Silly Satan, Tricks are for Kids”!!
    It is the first week back to school for many of you after Christmas break or at least, the first week of a New Year. Call on your angels and declare NO MORE!!! Pray for each other today.
    Blessings,
    Vicki

    Reply

  5. Talk about perfect timing! I too had a long, hard night – bone weary and a little sad, I let my defenses down. The only temptation I gave in to was a pity-party before slipping into sleep, but I awoke wrapped in the Holy Spirit this morning! Most profound to me today is how we are all so uniformly knit together. Like minds. This post is too perfect to not reblog, if you don’t mind. <3

    Reply
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  7. I need lots of breathing exercises on days like the one you had.
    Loved your post and the words are so encouraging. Will remind myself to read it when I’ll be feeling down.

    Reply
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