Benny dropped his keys on the kitchen counter, exhaling sharply. The day had been a battlefield. Not in the physical sense but in his spirit. The weight of discouragement, doubt, and fear pressed against him like an invisible force. It wasn’t just one bad day—it had been weeks of relentless struggle. And today had been the worst of them all.
For months, Benny had poured his time and energy into securing a lucrative contract for his company. It was a deal that would not only benefit the business but also prove his value as a key player in the company. He had worked late nights, double-checked every detail, and built strong relationships with the clients. Everything seemed set until today. A last-minute snag had put the entire deal in jeopardy. The client hesitated. Benny’s boss, known for his short temper, had called him into his office and let his frustration be known. "If we lose this deal, Benny, it’s on you."
Those words cut deep. He had done everything right—hadn’t he? And yet, the situation spiraled beyond his control. By the time he got home, discouragement pressed on his chest like a weight he couldn’t shake.As he sat on the couch, he flipped open his Bible to Ephesians 6:12: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (NKJV)
Benny had read that verse a hundred times before, but tonight, it struck differently. A realization gripped him—this wasn’t just life being hard. This was spiritual warfare.A memory surfaced. Years ago, he had attended a Bible study where the leader had explained how the enemy operates: he doesn’t always come with loud attacks but often with whispers—subtle, deceptive lies that erode faith and hope. The battle wasn’t against his job, his circumstances, or even himself. It was against an enemy who wanted to keep him weak, discouraged, and ineffective.
Benny sat up straighter. If this was a battle, then it was time to fight. He turned to the next verses in Ephesians 6, reading about the armor of God. "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11, NKJV)
Benny closed his Bible, stood up, and did something he hadn’t done in a long time—he prayed out loud. "Lord, I see it now. I’ve let the enemy take ground in my mind. I’ve let his lies wear me down. But I take my stand tonight. I put on Your armor. I take up the shield of faith. I wield the sword of the Spirit—Your Word. I resist the enemy in Jesus’ name!"
As he prayed, something shifted. The oppression that had clung to him like a heavy cloak lifted. Peace flooded his heart. The battle wasn’t over, but he was no longer fighting from a place of defeat. He was fighting from a place of victory, the victory Jesus had already won.
An hour later, Benny’s phone buzzed. His boss. His stomach tightened. This couldn’t be good. He hesitated before answering. "Hello?" "Benny!" His boss’s voice boomed through the receiver, but instead of frustration, there was something else—excitement. "I don’t know how it happened, but the client just called. They had a change of heart! The deal is back on, and they’re signing tomorrow. You did it, Benny!"
Benny blinked. It wasn’t him. It was God. Tears welled in his eyes as he hung up. Just an hour ago, he had felt defeated, overwhelmed, and powerless. But when he chose to fight in prayer, God had already begun to work.The war still raged, but now he knew the truth: he wasn’t fighting for victory—he was fighting from victory. And the enemy had already lost.
Psalm 44:4-5 (NLT) says, “You are my King and my God. You command victories for your people. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes.”
In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt
