The Lord causes poverty and grants wealth. He humbles people; he also promotes them.
1 Samuel 2:7
Blaming all the hard times in your life on Satan can be easy; after all, he’s out to get you and all of God’s kids. But remember, it wasn’t Satan who sent Jesus to the cross. It wasn’t his idea to torture and kill Jesus—it was God’s. So when something totally painful happens to you, don’t blame it on the enemy, because that’s making it about him. Just focus on the one who will give you hope and peace; trust God and make it about him. Each attack and each abuse you experience should be a stepping-stone to lead you closer to God and not closer to the enemy.
As you watch the world fall apart around you, remember that God is in control and that out of this misery can come something beautiful, just like salvation came from the bloody cross. That’s just what Hannah was acknowledging in her prayer (see 1 Sam. 2:1–10). Don’t let the enemy take what can be a tool in the hand of God and make it a weapon to cripple you. Rise above the pain into the realm of holiness and know that God lets suffering in your life to help make you holy, should you choose the path of perfection over misery and complaint. Don’t allow your pain to be wasted or to be used against you, but harness it and take advantage of the perfecting power of it. Then and only then will you be set free from the power of the enemy.