Loser? Not!

I love this picture of Kiri grappling with the other woman at a jiu jitsu tournament. (Kiri ended up winning the tournament.)
To the untrained eye it appears that Kiri is winning because she's on top.
Actually, I happen to know that in jiu jitsu the winner is frequently on the bottom. With the firm ground behind you, you have lots more control. Kiri usually wins when she's the one with her back to the ground, and her opponent is on top.

To most people, it sure looks like Satan is in control. Crime, political corruption, disease, natural disasters, family and societal destruction. Everywhere we look we see evil seemingly the victor.
Sure looks like Satan's on top, winning the "tournament."
But the wise believer knows that appearances can be disceiving.
When Jesus hung on the cross, His disciples wept.
When His body was laid in the tomb, it sure looked like that was the end of the dream of a messiah.
But hidden from the physical eyes of Jesus' disciples, a whole spirtual war had been waged and won. The proof? Jesus' resurrection.

That's why we can believe Him when He 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)

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way." (2 Thess. 3:16)

"Peace to all who are in Christ." (1 Peter 5:14)