In every battle, and not unique to ministry alone, in all challenges or conflicts of life we face, there are three crucial points and unbelievably

1. the easiest one is sometimes the conflict or fight itself;
2. the most difficult point is the period of indecision right before the conflict—whether to stand and fight or run away—the battle between faith and fear;
3. but by far the most dangerous period is the aftermath, when the battle is over and our guard is down (Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:20-22; Luke 18:18-30)

With your resources spent and your guard down, you need to watch for things like

1. Overconfidence—Matthew 26:33-35,51-54; John 18:8-27
2. dulled reactions—Mathew 16:16-24
3.  and faulty judgment—John 21:2-4

Other examples and consequences of aftermath to learn from:

1. *As twins go, Jacob and Esau were quite different. But they quickly learned to negotiate. Have you ever watched children make a deal that favored one over the other? For example, one offers the other a candy bar in exchange for an expensive video game. Well, that same dynamic was at work between Jacob and Esau. Esau had been out hunting and came home exhausted and hungry. Nothing mattered to him except food and certainly not something as remote as a future inheritance. In a moment of weakness, he said, ‘“I am about to die…what is this birthright to me?” …So…he…sold his birthright to Jacob…[for] bread and stew.’ (Genesis 25:32–34 NKJV) It was a decision Esau would live to regret and could not undo.* The decision derailer here is HUNGER—*Word For Today
2. Remember Moses’ beginning detailed by Josephus, whose beginning was birthed in parental prayers. Consider what happened in Exodus 32:17-20 and Numbers 20:1-13. What was the consequence here? He was retired and never entered the Promised Land and what was the derailer? ANGER
3. Remember King David’s story? **‘In the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle…David remained at Jerusalem. Then it happened…he saw a woman bathing…Then David sent messengers and took her’ (2 Samuel 11:1-2, 4 NKJV). Pay particular attention to the phrase, ‘Then it happened.’ David chose to stay home rather than go to battle. Who knows why? His impressive record of successes made him soft, or he got careless, or arrogant? It was only a brief affair, but it changed everything. His peace vanished, his character was ruined, and his family life destroyed.* What was the derailer here? LONELINESS (Idleness)—**Word For Today; and
4. The last is well laid out in the conduct of Jewish believers in Hebrews 10:22-39 and Hebrews 12:5-13. Here TIREDNESS was drawing them away from the faith they had received!

*Do not fall prey to the perils of past victories! Remember your H.A.L.T. sign. When you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, you are in a vulnerable place and need to be extra careful rushing into decisions in these states. Resting on your laurels is synonymous with flirting with disaster. Trouble awaits the man or woman who dwells in the comfortable land of accomplished dreams. So, the word for today is – ‘If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall!—**Word For Today

Shalom. 

Pastor Afolabi Oladele