Listen to today’s devo!

But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. (Ps. 60:4)

Depression and anxiety are on the rise in the United States. Tens of millions of Americans suffer from variations of these two illnesses every year. If you haven’t suffered from one of them, you’ve certainly dealt with grief, sadness, or stress. There’s no escaping hardship as a human being on planet Earth. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble,” not might (John 16:33, italics mine).

Some Christians believe they should be able to “rise above” the ailments of the world. Fear of the Lord should humble us to know that we aren’t less prone to earthly weakness than the next guy. In Jesus, however, we do have access to weaponry others do not.

You see, Satan uses worldly afflictions, like depression, to steer our eyes away from the banner God has planted and raised confidently for us to draw strength. It’s from that symbolic image we gather the tools necessary to successfully battle whatever the world throws at us.

When we fear the Lord more than we fear Satan, we will not be convinced to look away from this promise. When the anxiety, depression, guilt, anger, or sadness attack, we don’t look inward or outward, but upward toward the “raised banner,” which is our rallying point in every situation. It may never be easy, but relying on God’s perfect preparation will always result in victory.

Consider what area of life you are looking in the wrong direction!

Ericka Andersen is a member of Waterline Church in Fishers, Indiana. She’s a wife and mom to two and enjoys writing, running, and podcasting.

© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.