The Devil Doesn’t Forget

by Fran Geiger Joslin

I listened as a young man poured out his woes. His wife recently experienced a miscarriage. His heart is broken. He lost his biggest client last week. Without thinking, I blurted out, “The devil kicks you when you’re down.”

I often hear widows list all the circumstances in their lives that fall apart—in addition to the loss of their spouse. Widows feel overwhelmed anyway, but I marvel at how often the devil adds “fuel to the fire,” and they can’t seem to catch their breath.  The devil definitely kicks us when we’re down.

What I forgot recently? The devil also kicks us when we’re up. The Lord abundantly blessed us at ABH these last few months. We’ve made efforts to raise funds to help print books at times, but in the last year or so, little bits trickled in. I wanted to appreciate the Lord’s provision as he sees fit, but at times I admit I felt a little disappointed.

More recently, I made a few pleas to churches I thought might consider helping us out. To my amazement, God provided $3500 from one church alone! As we celebrated that gift, more gifts poured in. We felt overjoyed and profusely thanked the Lord.

And then it happened. The devil kicked me before I could catch myself. In my frustration I forgot to use grace in my words and hurt someone deeply. That crafty little beast sneaked in and used me to discourage someone else.

The devil definitely kicks us when we’re up. He doesn’t want to see us flourish. He doesn’t want us to represent God well. He wants to destroy all that is good, especially the blessings that God provides.

Lord, help me to remember to watch my mouth when things are up and when things are down. Help me to represent you well in everything that I do and say. May you get the glory for the great things you have done. And, may I never forget to “be sober-minded” and “watchful,” keeping in mind that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (I Peter 5:8). May I not be that person.

Let’s all remember this as we enter a new year. The devil doesn’t like it when the Lord blesses. Be on the alert because the devil kicks us when we’re up and when we’re down. But, praise be to God who wins the victory over the devil!