Balance is essential to being healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In the physical realm, if our diet consists of too many fats, carbohydrates, sweets, etc., and not enough vegetables, water or protein, etc., sooner or later we will experience sickness as a result of imbalance. Next, emotional balance is essential to living an abundant life. Few of us learn how to love ourselves and express our inner emotions-sadness, happiness, anger, and fear- in a healthy manner. Our out-of-balance emotions either pour out uncontrollably on everyone, or they are shut down and stuffed deep inside. Both of these emotional extremes are unhealthy for us and our relationships. Then spiritually, it is crucial that we find balance through our relationship with Jesus, the loving Lord. Through the ages, the Devil has deceived many people by presenting God as something He isn’t. One religious group sees God as judgmental, mean spirited, and ready to send all to hell. Some religious groups cling to various rules and regulations to obtain acceptance by God. There is usually a minute amount of truth in these religious teachings, but they are out of balance, and the Enemy uses them to keep us from experiencing the forgiveness, love, freedom, peace, joy, hope, and purpose that is offered to all who will call on His name. When we recognize that being out-of-balance creates openings for Satan to negatively affect us and others, we must choose to look to Christ to facilitate a work of balance in our hearts and lives. Step-by-step, He will give us direction and bring healing and stability, enabling us to overcome the Enemy and triumph through Christ while living in this world.

“Be well-balanced [temperate, sober of mind], be vigilant and cautious at all times: for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and eat greedily” (1Peter 5:8)