As I was reading through 1 Corinthians a couple of days ago, I came across a couple of verses that really struck a cord with me; possibly because I’ve never really focused on them.

But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries (1 Cor. 16:8-9).

Here, Paul is wrapping up his thoughts with the Corinthians, telling them that he’s going to go to Ephesus for a while before going to Corinth to be with them. Verse 9 is what really sticks out to me though, because Paul sees that there is a great and effective door opened for him, and as great and effective as that door seems, it appears that the threat against it is equally as strong.

If you have ever been involved in anything for the Lord, you see this exact scenario play out. Where there is a great opportunity for good, there is a strong adversary waiting to knock you down, because that’s exactly what Satan is all about. He is out to get us! He is stalking us, watching our every move, knowing when we are zealous for good works. In those moments, his will is strong: he wants to crush us. He wants to squelch the fire in our bones. But, there are a couple things we need to know in these instances:

1: You’re not alone – 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” Yes, Satan is seeking to devour us. Yes, Satan is trying to keep us from doing good works. Yes, Satan is strong. But the brotherhood of Christ? Stronger. And all of us are getting hit with Satan’s blows. But verse 10 goes on to say, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you (1 Peter 5:10).”

When we continue doing the Lord’s work, despite rejection and depression and pitfalls, we will be perfected and established, strengthened and settled by our God.

2: The work is worth it – Nothing about Christianity is supposed to be easy. Being a disciple of Christ is all about sacrifice. And so, we won’t be encouraged and praised for every good work we go after. Satan will try to defeat us. But we know from 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 that he won’t be able to win: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. “ 

Doing the work of the kingdom is not in vain. Continuing on when you feel discouraged is necessary, though difficult. Just know that the battle is won. Christ comes out on top. Be His solider, even when the skirmishes are beating you down. Keep your head up, remember you’re not alone, and just keep doing what you need to be doing. You will be strengthened!

Whenever you do have those down days – the days when Satan seems to be coming strong – just take it as a challenge. That’s what the apostle Paul did! He knew he had a great and effective door, and he knew that meant adversaries. But I can just hear him saying, “Bring it on!” That should be our attitude, because the One who is in us is stronger than the one in the world (1 John 4:4).