The best thing I can do is to stand firm and listen for the Lord’s voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out … they know his voice.

It is natural and understandable to do anything in our power to alleviate our predicament.  We can even justify our actions by using our God-given abilities, seeking wise counsel, and praying, which is all good.  However, if we proceed and take action before we hear from God, we may be stepping outside, ahead or away from His leading. 

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.  Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people (Exodus 13:21-22).

Be careful listening to anyone besides the Lord and be cautious about giving out advice to others.  Even with the most sensitive, compassionate and purest of hearts, we can be used to lead people away from what the Lord’s will is for a person’s life. 

Take the time to comfortably lie at the feet of your master, waiting for His instruction.  It is often heard in our silence and spoken by a small still voice.

Stand firm in your convictions.

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5).

Frank Peretti wrote the best-selling fiction book This Present Darkness many years ago.  It opened my eyes and mind to an ever-present unseen spiritual battle happening all around us.  Today, our spiritual battles, at times, seem to be somewhat more visible.

Prayer is constantly being restrained in public.  Houses of Worship are being scrutinized or attacked, for what they stand for.  Our country’s Christian foundation is being dismissed.  It has almost become chic to denigrate a person’s belief in God.

• We are seen as prudish for abstaining from sex outside of marriage.
• We are looked upon as non-tolerant for not embracing untraditional marriages.
• We are viewed as radicals for standing up for the sanctity of life.
• We are called elitist for believing Jesus is the only way to eternal life with God. 

Bible-believing followers of Christ are under fire now more than ever.   

Oftentimes we are not only being attacked by other people, but also within our own thoughts.  Disbelief tells us we will never find our soul mate and encourages us to settle for someone lesser, impatience tells us to go ahead and “do it,” and diffidence says we are not good enough for anyone.