In life, the wicked one throws many fiery darts in the form of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and so many more mental and even physical conditions. Once one let’s theses things bring him/her down, the devil rejoices at the fact that he has found something to keep you from happiness.

Why does the devil want to keep me from happiness?

Because happiness is what God wants you to have. He wants you to be happy and rejoice, because the devil is in opposition of God, he is in opposition of what he wants.

Let’s say there’s a very successful man. He has his a good job, a beautiful house, and good close friends but not a good background. He might have grown up with an absent father or mother. For instance, he gets promoted to a higher position at work and as he is getting appreciated and congratulated but the devil, to his dislike, begins to remind him that he grew up without a father or mother while his friends grew up with both parents. He starts to pay attention to this and begins to slowly fall into depression. He doesn’t see anything worth celebrating anymore, he begins to not appreciate anything anymore, he starts to draw away from friends and family. Then when the devil starts to see that he doesn’t appreciate anything or sees anything worth celebrating, he begins to suggest things like suicide, ways in which he can end his life.

As the man begins to entertain these thoughts, he also begins acting on them. Symptoms may include Googling quick and simple ways to kill one’s self, and as the devil suggests which way would be easier, then, it’s a done deal! On this day, at this time, in this location, he’s planned to kill himself. And that’s how the devil gets another soul to hell, to join him so that he doesn’t burn in the lake of fire alone. Did you notice how little it started? That’s how the devil gets these victims.

Sometimes it doesn’t even start with the little reminders, he just goes straight to, “Hey, why don’t you just kill yourself?” You have to be able to resist it.

How do I resist it?

You resist it by familiarizing yourself with the Word of God, it is the one way to ignore these attempts of the devil. For a very good example, in Matthew 4:1-11, it’s Jesus. He is being tempted by the devil multiple times, but how does Jesus respond? By going back to scripture. The Word is the only way to overcome the devil, The Messiah has proven it Himself.

When the devil reminds you of the people who AREN’T in your life, remember the ones that ARE in your life. When the devil reminds you of the people who DON’T love you, remember the ones that DO actually love you and care for for you. But most importantly, remember The Creator of Heaven and Earth, that he wants to be in your life, that he loves you, that he cares for you.