Conquering Quiet Times {Day 4}: Expect Opposition

That’s right ladies, be on the lookout.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. {1 Peter 5:8}

It never fails. I get all excited for a new routine. I plan my perfect mornings and pick the perfect books and purchase a brand new journal {because every new start needs a new journal, right?}, and two days into my perfect morning plan, I fail.  Either I slept in too late, or the baby woke too early, or I didn’t take my reading to heart and ended up in a petty fight with my husband before breakfast is even on the table.

Sigh.

And then I resign myself to the thought that I can’t make a permanent change, I can’t stick with anything, I’ll never be good enough.

Lies.  All lies.

The last thing that the enemy wants us to do is be in the Word. He knows that time with our Savior means changed hearts and sanctified lives, which totally wrecks his plans. He will do anything in his power to discourage us, to distract us, to make us feel like failures.

So be ready, friends. I find that the enemy’s advances are much easier to fend off if I’m aware that the’ll be coming my way. Slept in late? Don’t discount the day, squeeze in some time in the Word during naptime. Baby woke too early? Snuggle with her while listening to some worship music. Arguing before breakfast? Apologize, swallow your pride, and start again.

Don’t give up. Your time with the Lord is the most precious part of your day. It will shape the rest of your day, your week, your life. It matters. So fight for it.  In His power, fight for it.

And you know what our greatest weapon is? Scripture. All the more reason to dive right in.