"Now the world is gone I'm just one, Oh God help me, hold my breath as I wish for death, Oh please God help me." (From the song "One" by Metallica)

"Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."  (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Before I start, let me first apologize if I have offended anyone by including the lyrics to a Metallica song in conjunction with Scripture.  My intention is not to offend nor to supplement the Holy and Inspired Word of God but rather, to illustrate a point.  If I have offended you, I humbly ask for your forgiveness.

I love this passage of scripture as it is one of God's truths that I desperately cling to.  First and foremost, it is simply admitting and recognizing that the evil one is very intentionally and methodically attacking me in an effort to keep me from not only being who I arm called and created to be, but also to prevent me from claiming a gift that God has given to me through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: I am a heir to the Kingdom of Heaven.  The evil one has made his intentions know to us throughout history as we can see his success and failures throughout scripture (e.g. In the Garden with Adam and Eve, The Temptation of Jesus, etc., etc).  But also, I love this section of scripture because it is a reminder to me that I am not alone in this battle.  While my issues and struggles may be unique to my perspective and limited to the situations and events of my own life, my brothers and sisters in Christ around the world are also faced  with their own issues and struggles.  I am not alone.  In other words, the evil one has not singled me out from the billions of people in the world and is just attacking me as his intention is to devour all of those who live in Christ.  Remembering this doesn't necessarily fix my situation or circumstances, nor does it alleviate the battle.  It does, however, keep me from sealing myself off from my brothers and sisters in Christ which is exactly what the evil one would like for me to do.

I included the lyrics to the song above to emphasis that point.  The picture the lyrics of the song paints is that of a person who has gone through and incredible battle and now is wounded beyond belief.  Nothing remains, no one can enter into this persons world and help them.  Only the hope of death can save this person now and it is literally what this person is crying out for.  This, my brothers and sisters in Christ, is where the evil one desires us to be.  It is here, at this point in our isolation, that the evil one has us right where he wants us and is the only voice we are hearing...

I may not, in all honesty, be able to understand what has happened in your life and the battles that you face daily.  I may not, in all honesty, be able to understand how those battles affect your walk with Christ.  I may not, in all honesty, be able to offer any suggestions or advice that will assist you as it pertains to your battles.  I do, however, understand the battle, can pray for you and I say this will all sincerity - we have a common enemy.

My brothers and sisters in Christ I beg of you please, do not try to fight this battle alone nor allow the evil one to tell you that you are all alone in your battle.  Share your battle, to the extent that you are capable, with your brothers and sisters in Christ so that we may enter into your battle with you, that we may tell you of our battles, and that you may find encouragement to continue in your battle with the understanding that while the circumstances may be different, the evil one is attacking us all.  When this happens, the veil of isolation is removed and we walk together, as a unified front with other believers in Christ to oppose the enemy.  When this happens, we cease to be "one" and become "many".

Your brother in Christ,

Jim