One of the greatest lies that Satan can sell you is that you are alone. That no one cares. That no one experiences the crippling doubts, fears, and discouragement that you’re bearing right now. It’s all smoke and mirrors. Not only are you carrying that load, but so has many a faithful Christian down through the millennia. Peter describes him as a roaring lion. Seeking whom he may devour. And just who does a lion seek to devour? The alone. The separated. The weak. Even within the pack or herd, the pride is seeking and sensing out that which will not survive. Or is unable to defend itself. Such is the ability of the adversary. He is–cannot be–omniscient, but he is a predator. He may not have the capacity to read our thoughts, but he can certainly read and forecast our pellucid ways. Because we are creatures of habit. And what we repeat readily becomes who I am. And hunters always watch for patterns. The easy annoyance. The ready defense. The anticipated grievance. These are all marks the destroyer watches for. And he is an expert in exploiting them. To the place where we truly believe that we have no way out. Again, a self-fulfilling lie. Because–really, who can you turn to? You’re misunderstood. You’re misrepresented. You’re maligned. You’re alone.
We’re soldiers. Soldiers never should be caught alone. When that does occur, it can spell disaster not only for him as an individual, but certainly for the team in general. In the earlier days of jet-powered air warfare, a United States Air Force colonel developed a systematic way to engage in warfare–and specifically in operational combat decisions. The big picture. But it can be–and has been applied–for the single fighter pilot engaging an enemy combatant. You’ve heard of it, and most likely sat through some corporate spiel about OODA–observe, orient, decide, act.
Observe
- What situation have you gotten yourself into because of your disobedience or neglect of God’s Word?
- Which of Satan’s lies have I for too long allowed myself to believe?
- How have I stopped trusting in God’s infallible Word that has brought me to this point?
- In which areas am I relying on myself to overcome the current situation I am facing?
Orient
- What promises of God do I fail to see as sufficient for this problem that I am facing?
- How has God resolved or promised to resolve the challenge that I am facing in others’ lives?
- What’s the worst that can happen if I just stop the fear and decide to love Christ?
Decide
- I will praise the Lord despite the challenges that I face knowing full well that He is sufficient.
- I will not idly sit by as I trust Him to do His part. God wants waiting not as an act of cautious patience, but of faithful service.
- I will trust God’s unfailing character and promises as I move forward step by step. While I do not know what is ahead, I can confidently trust He providentially arranges all things for His Glory and my good, despite how abysmal my circumstances may appear to be.
Act
- In the moments of extreme fatigue, confusion, exhaustion, and utter despair I will choose to cast my eyes on Christ and the suffering which He bore in my place.
- I will on a daily, often momentary, basis choose to cast my care on Him knowing that He cares.
- I will confidently trust His Word in active prayer, reading, devotion, and service to Christ understanding that my feelings follow how I act.
No never alone. No never alone. He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.
I must be in the yoke together with Christ. It’s only when I choose to attempt to bear my burdens, difficulties, and problems by myself that I feel the brutal, crushing weight of my condition and inability. But only I can choose to observe. Only I can orient myself–posture myself–upon God’s Word. Only I can decide to trust His promises. Only I can act and let God’s love and glory shine in me. Only myself. Alone.