Savage About Sobriety April 14, 2023

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. - James 4:7,8 (KJV)

Going through life has it's ups and downs. If you're a recovering addict, you already know how much life can be a roller coaster for us. Ups, downs, twists, turns, mountains, and valleys. For me personally, life has had it's twists and turns, with a lot of ups and downs. There have been times when I closed my eyes and held on, and times when all I wanted to do was scream at the top of my lungs and hoped that it would all be over soon. As a Redeemed addict, I still struggle with the highs and lows life throws at me. Getting sober didn't eliminate my bad days, but with Jesus in my corner I no longer have to use drugs or alcohol to get out of the valley and back on top of the mountain.

As a child of God, I now look at my low days, valleys, or whatever you want to call them, as an opportunity to prove my faith in God. The devil doesn't attack people who are not living for God, because he already has them. If you are under attack from the devil, consider it a sign that you are on the right path because Satan knows he is losing you. Satan has no power on this Earth to attack us physically, so he attacks our minds with feelings of doubt, fear of the unknown, anxiety over situations that we have no control over, and our self-worth. Joyce Meyers calls it the "Battlefield Of The Mind." Luke 22:31, 32 - "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (KJV). If Satan could have physically hurt Peter he would have, so instead he attacked Peter's mind when Jesus was being crucified. In verse 32, Jesus tells him that He had prayed that Peter's "faith" fail not. Like I said before, these attacks are opportunities to prove our faith in God.

James 4 tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from you (vs.7), then in the next verse he tells us to draw nigh (closer) to God and He will draw nigh (closer) to you (vs.8). That tells me that when I'm in a valley, I need to spend more time with God by reading my Bible and praying. By doing this, you will be resisting the devil at the same time. Don't give the devil any room in your head by dwelling on the doubt and fear. Start by thanking God for the opportunity to prove your faith in Him and give Him praise. Fear cannot exist when we are praising God. Don't believe me? Try it. The next time you start coming under attack, start singing a church song. Everybody knows at least one. Whether it's Amazing Grace or Voice of Truth, start singing and watch the fear and doubt disappear.

The God of the mountain is the same God of the valley. He's there for us in good times and bad. On your best day you're a child of God. On your worst day you're a child of God. Just like with Peter, Jesus is praying for each and every one of His sheep that our faith fails not (Romans 8:34). Remember, God wants you to trust Him enough that you live your life fully dependent upon Him. Trust that He will carry you from the valley back to the top of the mountain and set your feet on solid ground.