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We are teaching Satan about ourselves when we react to situations that don't go our way......
Our responses to life’s challenges teach Satan where we may be vulnerable, because he can only observe our outward actions and words. Unlike God, who intimately knows our thoughts, intentions, and inner struggles, Satan must watch, listen, and learn from how we react to situations that frustrate or disappoint us. He is an observer, not a mind-reader.
Satan doesn't know our thoughts because he is not God. Satan is not Omniscient (all-knowing), he is not Omnipresent (present everywhere), and he is not Omnipotent (all-powerful). So, Satan only learns about our vulnerabilities from what we reveal in our actions and reactions. When we respond with faith and gratitude, even in frustration, we disrupt his plans to exploit our weaknesses.
When something doesn’t go our way—maybe we’re stuck waiting, something breaks down, or there’s a miscommunication—we have two ways we can respond. If we get upset, frustrated, or discouraged, we’re basically showing Satan where we might be struggling in our faith or where we’re more likely to fall into negativity. Those reactions give him clues he can use to make things harder for us, stirring up even more doubts, fears, and frustrations. He watches for those weak spots, those cracks in our defenses, so he can come back and hit us there again later.
However, when we react with gratitude, faith, and trust in God’s provision—even when things go wrong—it confuses and frustrates Satan. He learns that we’re not as easily swayed by difficulties and that our confidence is deeply rooted in God. A response rooted in gratitude and trust shuts down Satan’s attempts to find a foothold. By choosing to praise God in tough situations, we’re essentially declaring, "I trust God over my circumstances. He is my source, and nothing can shake that.”
For example:
When faced with a financial hardship, instead of despairing, we could say, “Lord, thank You for the ways You provide. I trust that You know my needs and will supply them. Lord, I thank You that You are a God of abundance. I trust that You will provide all I need, in every situation and at all times. Help me to live in confidence, knowing that You’ll bless me with more than enough—not only for my needs but so that I can share Your goodness with others. Lord, let my life reflect Your generosity and grace, so that I can abound in every good work You’ve called me to. Thank You for Your endless provision and love…. AMEN.
or
You’re facing a hardship: “Father, I come to You in the midst of this hardship, feeling the weight of it, but I choose to focus on Your faithfulness. Even when things feel overwhelming, I know You are with me, carrying me through. I thank You for the strength You give me each day, for being my refuge when life feels heavy. Help me to see the blessings that are still around me, even in this struggle. Thank You for drawing me closer to You, and for using this hardship to shape my heart. I know that somehow, You are working this for my good, even if I can’t see how right now. Lord, fill me with a grateful heart that trusts in Your plan and rests in Your peace. I thank You for Your love and for being the One I can always lean on. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
This approach teaches Satan that our hope is in God, not in our circumstances. It shows him that our faith is resilient and that we won’t be easily shaken.
James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
When we resist his attempts to provoke us and instead submit to God’s peace, Satan loses his power over us. So, each time we respond in faith, it’s a spiritual declaration that God is in control—and a reminder to Satan that he is not.
Questions to ponder:
What specific things can I thank God for, even in this difficult season? How might expressing gratitude lift my spirit and change my outlook?
Are there past situations where I faced challenges, and later saw how God used them for good? How can I apply that perspective to my current hardship?
What promises of God about His provision and care can I hold onto during this time? How can these promises help me stand firm in gratitude instead of fear?
Thanks for reading, sweet friends!
<3 The Bohemian Homemaker - Michelle Warren
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