The only Carry Over course I had while on campus was in my second year. I could remember vividly what I said when I checked the result on the notice board. I said, with a smile, “Thank You Lord for allowing it”. I knew it must have got the devil confused. It made all the difference.
Friend, what is your attitude and response when you go through tough times? Do you whine, bow your head in shame, go about moody, or do you count it all joy as the scripture teaches us? “…count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations…” (James 1:2). It did not say that the situation calls for joy, but it says that you should count it all joy. Turn it around.
The way to confuse the devil is to do the unusual and the unexpected when you are going through stuff. Yes, the devil wants you to cry, wear a smile instead. The devil wants you to worry, switch to worship. The devil wants you to question or blame God, turn it around and give God thanks. This way, you confuse the devil and he would be clueless about what to do with you.
“Be careful for nothing but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your request known unto God, and the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). That is the scriptural way to go through stuff in life. Rather than taking care, God wants you to cast care (Matthew 6:25, 1 Peter 5:7). Instead of worrying, you need to let go and let God (Psalms 46:10).
When the devil seems to be hitting you the hardest, that is the time to laugh the greatest. That way, you confuse the devil. You need to take a cue from God’s response to the raging of the enemy in Psalms 2; “…He that sits in Heaven shall laugh…” (Psalms 2:4). That is the language! When the enemy is threatening you with fear and doubt, burst into laughter. Laugh over the devil, laugh on his head!
Sometimes you have to act strong and positive even when you don’t feel so. This is what it means to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Yes, your mind or flesh would want to tell you that you are faking it. Never mind, keep faking it until you make it. Laugh. Smile. Bring out the joy of the Holy Spirit on your inside (Romans 14:17, Galatians 5:22). This joy becomes your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). It changes the atmosphere. It confuses the devil, and it empowers you to lay hold of the victory that is already yours (1 John 5:4). Amen.
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria