When Their Story Looks Better, God Is Gently Saying, “Yours Is Not Over Yet”
Best-selling author of Beauty in the Stillness, Karin Hadadan, writes about the toxic and cyclical nature of negativity and how to stay strong when it’s preying on us.
The reality of spiritual warfare in life is that negative, evil forces constantly seek to grip us, making us vulnerable and leading us into danger.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
Peter’s warning is vivid and urgent—our enemy prowls like a roaring lion, actively hunting for someone to devour. We are tempted throughout each day by threats that can subtly pull us from the path of light toward darkness. The moment we become aware of this struggle, we have the opportunity to be alert and maintain a sober mind—thinking clearly, not clouded by distractions, focusing on God’s truth at all times.
In modern times, the enemy’s tactics are often deceptively subtle. The prowling occurs through seemingly innocent distractions that gradually consume our attention—social media that fosters comparison and discontent, entertainment that slowly desensitizes us to sin, or success that focuses on self-sufficiency rather than God-dependency. Our vulnerabilities vary—some struggle with loneliness that makes unhealthy relationships appealing, others with identity issues that make external validation irresistible, and many with anxiety that tempts us to control rather than trust. The predatory nature of these temptations is what makes them so dangerous. Like a lion, the enemy doesn’t attack randomly but strategically targets our weakest moments and deepest wounds.
The path to spiritual alertness isn’t found in neglecting fear or paranoia but in being vigilant. We combat these forces by being as strategic and intentional as the prowler is—seeking God especially in moments of vulnerability, intentionally choosing the opposite response when tempted, and maintaining spiritual disciplines that strengthen our discernment. Peter’s warning calls us to stand firm with clear minds and watchful heart, as being alert isn’t about living in fear but living in faithful readiness, knowing both the reality of the enemy’s intentions and the greater reality of our God’s protection.
