It’s so amazing how life circumstances can bring out the very best and the very worst in people.

Looking over my life, I realize it was the diagnosis of breast cancer that brought so many of my family and friend groups back together.

You see, as life happened, we began to drift apart and in some instances let futile disagreements and misunderstandings keep us apart.

As my cancer diagnosis got worse, prayers were going forth across the nation. Prayer calls and conference calls were held regularly. Others jumped on initiatives to raise awareness-unfortunately this only lasted for a season.

 I find myself in another life circumstance and unfortunately the support of others doesn’t resemble anything similar to the season of breast cancer. While this season truly is the death of a significant period of time in my life (and the breast cancer was not), I have had so called friends walk out on me, some I have had to dismiss, folks who are looking at my assets, hoping I’ll sell them all so they can benefit, folks who because of their own selfish motives have no respect of my time, responsibilities, money or health.

Sadly,  those who appeared to be praying mightily during my illness appear to be preying mightily now.

Isn’t that just like Satan? Since scripture is clear we wrestle not against flesh and blood(Ephesians 6:12), I recognize it is the deceiver himself who is working undercover through those who allow him by being selfish, calculating in some cases down right malicious.

I asked God some time ago, “Why is it that people react so caringly when they learn of someone’s cancer diagnosis, yet the same people allow so many other cancerous, toxic, debilitating and even deadly conditions to go untreated.”  God’s response -“People are afraid of the dying but not the judgment. “

So to those of you who, like me struggle to know from day to day, who is friend and who is enemy, I encourage you with the words of 1Peter 5:8-9, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”

By staying alert, you will be sure to know who is praying and who is preying!