I have always believed that Satan was real. I would see bad things happen around the world and would say that Satan probably had a hand in that or that God was allowing Satan to work in that situation. But now, as I continue to get deeper into this trial, I see Satan like I have never seen him before.
Most people reading this blog know my husband, Daniel. He is a passionate follower of Christ, has a love for children, adores his own 2 boys, has a zest for adventure, is super romantic, has a tender side those close to him get to see, loves to joke around, enjoys learning, is alway first to try something new, stable in all he does, honest to a fault, and he loves deeply...or at least that was Daniel up until about 3 months ago.
Don't get me wrong, Daniel, myself nor our relationship was perfect but I have watched Satan cover Daniel's eyes, take a truth and twist it into a lie, and lead him down a path in which there seems to be no return. The Daniel that I spoke of in the above paragraph is gone. Now who I encounter is a shell of a man with no sparkle in his eye, no confidence in his step and no joy in his heart. The words from his mouth proclaim that he is happy with his choices and when he goes "home" he is happy with that family. How in the world could he possibly be happy with a counterfeit family when his real family is loving, praying and wanting him to come home?? And the answer is in James 1:15 -
"Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead."
The man I knew, that we all knew, is dead. Sin has had its way with him and now has left Daniel to "enjoy" his choices.
But here is the Hope. John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life!..." Christ is Daniel's only hope, his only help at this point, and his only way back to the joy he once knew. Please pray for Daniel and that God would bind Satan from anymore damage, that God would open his eyes like he did Saul in Acts 9:18 - "Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized..." and that God would show Daniel His unconditional love.
I truly believe that God will use this situation for His glory, and I have already started to see the tip of that. Again, I have no idea how this whole ordeal will end, but I do know God is faithful to those who trust Him and the boys and I know our future will be secure as long as we continue to follow God.