Friends or Enemies?

Do you know that you have enemies that are plotting to ruin your day and make you miserable? These “bad guys” are sneaky about it and pretend they are your friends. So how can you spot them?

Before you can identify your false friends, you must know who is really out to help you. A true friend will help you do the right thing, even if it is hard. Your parents and others that care about you are your true friends. They stick by you and want to help you in life. But there is someone who cares about you more than any person. God is the one who can make your day worthwhile, no matter what goes wrong!

So if you are feeling rotten because you have work to do or plans have been changed, it is time to remember there is a plot going on. The bad guys are sneaking up.

How can you spot an enemy? By its attitude. You see, it isn’t the messy room or the spilled milk that is plotting against you. Nor is it your pesky brother or the people that give you work to do. Your enemies aren’t visible at all, but they sure are real. They hover close, like the negative gnats in the story, and fill you with bad feelings. But they pretend they are defending you. “No one really cares about you,” they whisper. “Your day is ruined because you can’t do what you want.” It is a very sneaky trick to make you weak and miserable.

How can you make them go away? The first thing to do is to call them names—their real ones, of course. “I know who you are!” you can say, “You are whiny little Self Pity. I’m not going to have a crybaby like you for a friend!” Try it once and just see if he doesn’t back off in surprise.

Remember who your friends are? Now is a good time to listen to their advice. Maybe they will remind you of some good-attitude repellants like “Count-Your-Blessings” and “Prompt Obedience.” Those quickly make the bad attitudes lose their power.

But you will never really win until you get rid of the enemies inside. If you like to be selfish and unthankful, it is because you have let the “bad guys” make their club house in your heart. They are bullies and will make you their slave. Jesus is able to save you from their power, and fill your heart with good attitudes instead. He is the best friend you could ever have. Will you let Jesus kick them out? If you trust and obey him, the “bad guys” can’t trick you or beat you up.

I was sewing for my sister, but it didn’t turn out the way she liked. A thought said, “I can’t ever do it right!” but I knew that was a “bad guy” and I shouldn’t listen. Jesus said, “You can try again later.” I didn’t feel like trying again, but I knew He was my friend and would help me. I chose to listen to His advice and ignore my enemeis. And sure enough, the next time I succeeded!