Do You Go to Extremes?

First Peter 5:8 (AMP) tells us to be well-balanced, self-disciplined, alert and cautious at all times in order to keep Satan from gaining an advantage over us. Satan doesn’t care if we do too much or too little of something. As long as we are extreme, he is satisfied! 

For example, some people may not be prudent in saving money for the future, while others may be stingy and save more than is necessary. They may hoard all they have out of the fear of not having enough. In doing so they are not trusting God at all to take care of them.

Here’s another extreme: Some people are not willing to do anything for anyone else. They are totally self-absorbed and think only of themselves. Others do too much for people, enabling them to remain lazy and inactive. Or they do so much for others that they don’t take proper care of themselves, and they end up filled with resentment and feeling like people take advantage of them.

The point is for us to work with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to lead us so we can maintain balance in all areas of life. There is a godly rhythm for our lives, and when we follow it, life is enjoyable and we avoid giving the devil an opening to torment or deceive us. 

We all need work and rest…fun and laughter…worship and solitude (times of quiet). We need to be alone, but we also need the balance of being in community with other people. Solomon wrote that there is a perfect time for everything (see Ecclesiastes 3). And when we do all things in moderation, it helps us keep the upper hand over the enemy.

Pray: God, thank You for helping me live a balanced life! Please show me any areas that need to be “evened out”—whether it’s work, rest or even an attitude that’s gotten off track. Thank You for helping me to avoid extremes and stay spiritually and emotionally strong. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Adapted from the book Your Battles Belong to the Lord by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2019 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved. 

Are you dealing with a “battle” in life—a family or relationship struggle, a financial issue, a bad habit or some problem that seems to never go away? Do you ever feel like you’ve tried everything but nothing ever works?