How This One Thing Can Give the Enemy Full Control of Your Life
TODAY'S TEACHING
Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.
—1 Peter 5:8
Listening to God is how we stay balanced in life.
It’s through His guidance that we learn when we’re tipping the scale and, according to today's scripture, it's one foothold the enemy can use to control and devour us.
Whether we’re spending too much or too little, talking too much or too little, even when we’re resting too much or not enough.
It’s easy to get off track without realizing it, and trust me, I’ve been there.
I had to learn the hard way that balance isn’t just something to hope for.
It’s something we have to actively work toward with God’s help.
I can still remember a time when I thought work was the answer to everything.
I believed if I wasn’t working or accomplishing something, I was falling short.
I’d work late into the night, thinking I had to keep going or the world would fall apart.
There was this voice in my head telling me I couldn’t rest because, in my mind, rest meant failure.
That voice wasn’t from God.
It was the enemy sneaking in, using guilt to control me and keep me from peace.
I had to face the truth.
Work is good (when done right), but when it becomes an obsession, it starts to steal your joy.
I learned that the hard way.
The more I worked, the more drained I became, and the less peace I had.
God didn’t create us to be workaholics.
He created us to rest, to enjoy the fruits of our labor, and to live in balance.
One day, after a particularly exhausting stretch, I asked God, “Where am I out of balance?”
And He showed me.
He said, “You’re running on empty. You need rest. You need to enjoy life more.”
That was a game-changer.
I started making time for the things that brought me joy.
Things I had neglected for so long.
And the most important thing?
I started listening more closely to God and spending more time with Him.
We all have a lot going on.
We’re juggling responsibilities, family, work, dreams.
It’s easy to forget to check in with God and ask Him if we’re overdoing it or not doing enough.
But every time I’ve asked Him, He’s been there, showing me where I need to adjust.
It doesn’t matter how crazy life gets, God is always ready to help us regain balance.
He’s not just waiting for us to get things perfect.
He’s ready to help us sort through any mess and find peace.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or like something’s just not right, ask God to show you where you’re out of balance.
Don’t wait for it to get worse.
When He speaks, listen.
And then, make the changes He tells you.
I promise, He’ll lead you back to the peace and balance you need.
Life’s hard enough without feeling like we’re constantly running on empty.
With God’s help, we can live a life that’s not only productive but peaceful too.
If this resonates with you, here's a short prayer you can say today:
"Dear God, help me to find balance in every area of my life. Show me when I’m tipping the scale too far in one direction (whether it’s work, rest, or anything else) and remind me that I’m not meant to carry everything alone. I know I need Your guidance to stay grounded, and I ask You to help me prioritize what truly matters. Teach me to trust You, rest in You, and walk in the peace that only You can give. Amen."
God bless you!
Your brother in Christ,
Daniel
Daily Effective Prayer™
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DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS
1. Are we actively listening to God’s guidance in our lives to help us maintain balance, or are we letting the busyness of life take over?
You know how it is—we get caught up in the rush of life. Work, family, errands, the never-ending to-do list. We’re running around so much that we forget to stop and listen. God’s speaking to us all the time, but if we don’t make space to hear Him, we end up feeling overwhelmed. Let’s remember that it’s not about doing more; it’s about listening more. If we make the choice to slow down, He’ll show us where we need to focus.
2. In what areas of our lives are we struggling with imbalance, and how can we invite God to show us where we need to make adjustments?
We all have those areas where we’re out of whack, right? Maybe we’re pouring too much into work and not enough into relationships, or we’re running on empty and don’t even realize it. It’s easy to let one part of life take over, but if we ask God, He’ll gently point us in the right direction. I’ve had moments when I thought I was fine, but then I’d ask God to show me, and He’d reveal something I missed. Trust me, He knows exactly where we need to adjust.
3. Are we working harder than we should, and are we allowing ourselves time to rest and enjoy life as God intended?
I think a lot of us get caught in the trap of thinking if we just work harder, we’re doing the right thing. But I’ve learned the hard way that overworking doesn’t equal peace. God created us to rest. It’s not just about staying busy—it’s about staying balanced. Rest isn’t an afterthought or a luxury; it’s a command. If we’re not taking time to rest, we’re missing out on something God designed for us to enjoy.
4. How often do we check in with God to see if we are doing too much or too little in any area of our lives?
Sometimes, we get so busy that we forget to check in with God. I mean, how many of us get into the grind and don’t stop to ask God, “Am I doing too much? Too little?” He’s there, ready to guide us, but we have to be willing to pause. It doesn’t take a lot—just a quick prayer or moment of reflection, asking God to show us if we’re on track. It’s like recalibrating a GPS when you feel lost—you have to make sure you’re headed in the right direction.
5. Are we trusting God enough to guide us back to balance when life feels out of control, and are we willing to make the necessary changes He shows us?
When things get crazy, it’s tempting to try and fix everything ourselves. But that’s when we need to trust God the most. He’s always there to help us find our way back to balance, but it takes faith—and sometimes, it means letting go of things we’re holding onto too tightly. If we trust Him, He’ll show us what needs to change. We might not like it at first, but His way is always better than our own.
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—Philippians 1:19
