Sucker Punch.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.1 Peter 5:8

The sucker punch is a technique used in street fighting. The idea is to take your adversary by surprise by pretending you are not going to punch perhaps acting relaxed or turning away and then when it seems least expected throw a punch. The surprise blow is intended to be effective enough to end the fight with just the one blow. As Christians, we need to be prepared at all times for surprise attacks.

We all know the feeling. We just seem to be getting our bearings straight. We are on even keel. Job…check. Family…check. Finances…check. Health…check. But just as we start to make headway-- Just a little progress—at the time we least expect it and from the most unlikely direction; we get waylaid. The child we raised to be above reproach slips and falls. The spouse we were certain of wanders. The fund we bet our future on tanks. The temptation we thought we conquered comes roaring back with a vengeance. We lift our umbrella to protect from a little rain and the wind comes and turns it inside out and rips it from our hands. Peter writes that we should understand that these things happen to all of us in the faith and if we are sober, vigilant and humble and remain steadfast in the faith after a little while the God of grace will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us.

My prayer for you today is for the presence of mind to quickly regain your focus and faith after you get up off the ground.

Deacon Larry Woodard