It is so easy to focus on the villain. After all, he is menacing in his dark costume and disgruntled goblin face. He laughs at us and mocks our feelings. He aims to disrobe our trust and outlook by throwing thunderstorms, lightening and boulders in our path.

With his foreboding Halloween face, he reaches for our coveted candy basket. And seethes in anger when we pull them back from his grasp; but this villain will try again and again to purloin our possessions – because being a child of God is valuable.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” – John 15:18-19

It hurts – this hatred. It’s a nasty word. The villain is strong and he is set on destroying with vengeance and spite. With a twisted painted smile, he tries to lure our feet down the trail of success – promising diamond dust and happiness. This cheeky joker appears to be having the time of his life, and often times, we yearn for that ‘victory’ – just once. We want to taste the fame of worldly delight.

But, dear heart – it is important to realize that jovial joker only dances on his mound of petty treasures for a short time. It’s fleeting. He laughs in delight now; but, he knows his fate is despair. He wants to take our lasting treasures. He wants to replace that sparkle of anointed light with a crumbly mask of chipping paint. Don’t let him.

We know what our Savior has said,

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

When it appears like the villain is winning, take heart and cling onto God’s unfailing truth. He will never leave you or forsake you. You are not alone when dealing with the haughty villain. He masquerades as success; but in the end – he is only endless sadness and disappointment.

It’s time to trust and look up to the Rock that is higher! He sees that troubled heart. He is ready to hold it and pump new life into its flesh.