We must discern between negative circumstances in our lives that are “frontal assaults” from the Devil or circumstances in which God is calling us to grow up and “stand”. The attacks upon Jesus in Gethsemane and after He was baptized WERE FRONTAL ASSAULTS FROM THE EVIL ONE. In Job’s miseries, God was calling him to stand faithful through it all. At the end Job was a changed person. If you stand you will be changed from the inside out. Stand and persevere. Get around other mature believers. Don’t blame every obstacle on demonic forces. Remember, nothing comes into our lives but what God permits. Fill your house (life) with Jesus. Develop your personal walk with Him in prayer, scripture, worship, etc. Ephesians 6.
Peter Scazzero
Pete Scazzero is author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (Nelson, 2006), a groundbreaking work on the integration of emotional health and contemplative spirituality. He has also authored The Emotionally Healthy Church (Zondervan, 2003), winner of the Gold Medallion Award for 2003, Begin the Journey with the Daily Office (2008) and several best-selling Bible study guides. Pete is the founder and senior pastor of New Life Fellowship Church in Queens, New York City, a multiracial, international church representing over 65 countries. He holds a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell and a D.Min. in Marriage and Family from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Pete and his wife, Geri, have four daughters, are co-founders of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. newlifefellowship.org www.emotionallyhealthy.org