“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
–Revelation 12:12
Stripped of honor and glory, having lost his place of authority in heaven, and cast down to the earth, Satan nursed revenge against God's most cherished creature—man. No wonder the scripture above warns of woe to the earth.
However, this wouldn't have been the case if the first humans had obeyed God's instruction. The hustle and bustle of life began the day man chose to follow the deceit of the enemy and go against God's command. They were given access to everything except one—“the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
But they could not stand against the devil's tricks. He deceived Eve into believing she could gain something that would make her life perfect, not realizing her life was already perfect. Eve, in turn, convinced Adam.
The devil still uses this trick today, making many believe that the pleasures and achievements of this world are more important than choosing to stay on God's side. Jesus knew better when the devil tempted Him by flashing the glory of the world before Him. Jesus understood that staying true to God is more important than gaining the world, so He refused to worship the devil.
On the contrary, the first humans yielded to the enemy's will. And boom, life’s challenges began! They lost control of their lives and handed it over to the enemy. Sin crept in, and consequently, so did death. They had to toil for what they once had freely.
As a result, challenges became an unavoidable reality. Almost everything became a struggle—whether making ends meet, maintaining health, raising children, or staying moral.
God's Intervention
God wouldn't allow man to remain in a state of lost glory, dominion, power, comfort, freedom, and peace. He provided a solution—Jesus!
Remember our most recited and quoted scripture, John 3:16? "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
God sent Jesus to rescue man from the consequences of his disobedience. Jesus died for man's sins and ended their consequences. He exchanged man's fallen life for a new life—everlasting life.
This life embodies the nature and glory of God. Whoever believes in Christ receives this life and all the blessings and riches of God (Ephesians 1:3). Such a person stands firm, no longer a victim of the devil's revenge but rather under God's protection.
However, the enemy has not been removed. He's still here until his appointed time of final destruction. So, he roams about, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Although Jesus has stripped the devil of his power over believers, the devil is full of tricks. He uses man’s uncontrolled desires, weaknesses, and disobedience as access points to his life. But you can choose not to give the devil a chance (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Overcoming Life's Challenges
“You have an extraordinary power within you to overcome life’s difficult challenges.”
–Lailah Gifty Akita
Understand that You're Already an Overcomer
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
–1 John 5:4-5
One way to stay undefeated in life is by understanding who you are in Christ. Do you believe in Christ? If yes, then you're already an overcomer. By receiving Christ, you are born again into victory.
Live your life with this consciousness. This is how Christ lived on earth. No matter what others did to Him, He was unmoved. The only thing He submitted to was God’s will for Him to die for man’s sins.
Adopt this mindset as well. Say to yourself, "I am an Overcomer; I can’t be defeated; I refuse to stay down!" Approach life from the perspective of victory.
Understand that You're Not Alone
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
–Hebrews 4:15-16
Do you remember the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”? It reminds us that we’re not alone and that God is always with us in every situation.
Jesus can relate to you. While on earth, He experienced hunger, sadness, embarrassment, betrayal, temptation, punishment, and even death—yet He rose again.
So no matter what you’re going through, rest assured that you're not alone. Jesus is with you. This gives you the peace to rest in hope, just as Christ rested in the middle of the storm.
Find, Receive, Believe, and Soak in God’s Word
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
–Psalm 119:105
God has something to say about every situation you face. His word is always active and potent. Relating with God's word is like relating with God Himself (John 1:1).
Search the scriptures to discover what God says about your situation. For example, if you are dealing with sickness, search for "scriptures that address sickness." When you find them, receive them into your heart, believe them, confess them, and act on them.
Pray in Faith
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”
–Luke 18:1
If you’re losing heart, feeling anxious, or panicking, it could mean you’re either not praying or not praying in faith.
Prayer allows you to pour out your heart to God and receive His peace. When you pray, you unleash God’s power over your situation and access His provisions.
In addition, rejoice! Remember Paul and Silas in prison? They chose to praise God despite being in chains, and God showed up—their chains broke off.
So, don’t just pray—pray with thanksgiving, pray in faith, and expect God to answer. Then rejoice, believing that your expectations are becoming your reality (Philippians 4:6-7).
In Conclusion
Life’s challenges may not be easy, but know this: You're not alone. You are an overcomer. God's word will bring light to your situation, and your access to God through prayer will bring comfort and deliverance.