You walk out of church.
Same routine. Same steps. Same parking lot.
Except today… it’s different.
Because sitting right there—between your car and the exit—
is a lion.
Not metaphorical.
Not spiritualized.
A real lion.
Watching. Waiting.
Now be honest…
You’re not checking your phone.
You’re not finishing a conversation.
You’re not casually strolling to your car.
Everything in you locks in.
Your senses heighten.
Your decisions slow down.
Your awareness goes through the roof.
Because when a lion is present…
everything changes.
Peter says:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
And here’s the tension…
We say we believe that.
But we do we live like there’s a lion in the parking lot?
The Lions That Devour Quietly
Not every lion roars.
But every lion drains the life out of its victim before it consumes it.
Lions often sneak up behind their prey—
locking in with claws and teeth—
holding on until the victim collapses in weakness.
They begin devouring
long before the kill.
The lion we’re talking about isn’t as visible
as the one in the parking lot.
It’s more subtle.
It sneaks up behind you…
and latches on with life-draining whispers.
Whispers like:
“They don’t respect you.”
“You deserve better.”
“They meant to hurt you.”
“Don’t let that go.”
And if you’re not careful…
those thoughts don’t stay thoughts.
They turn into assumptions.
Assumptions turn into conclusions.
Conclusions turn into attitudes.
Attitudes turn into actions.
Before you know it…
you’re not just thinking something—
you’re living it out.
Then it works through the flesh—
through temptation,
through twisted assumptions about people,
through irritation that becomes resentment,
through complaining that feels powerful in the moment.
Because complaining can feel like control.
Bitterness can feel like strength.
Holding onto offense can feel like dignity.
But that power is false.
It is pride dressed up as protection.
Every time we hold onto what should have been released,
we don’t end up full—
we end up drained.
And here’s what’s wild…
It all feels justified.
It feels logical.
It even feels right.
But it’s a lion…
draining your life
while convincing you
you’re becoming stronger.
The scariest part?
While this is happening,
you don’t feel attacked…
you feel justified.
And somehow, in the strength you think you have,
you start to wonder
why you feel drained on the inside—
like life is being pulled out of your soul.
Emotionally exhausted.
Spiritually tired.
Mentally worn down.
Unable to stop being upset.
This all means…
You are being devoured.
And the longer it goes unnoticed…
the weaker you become.
The truth is…
People are being devoured every day—
and don’t even know it.
Final Turn
So here’s the real question:
Are you aware of the lions in your life?
And if you are—
and they’re already draining you—
it’s time to get them off your back.
Before it’s too late.
That takes prayer.
That takes honesty.
That takes confession.
That takes determination.
But it starts
with recognizing
the lion is there.
phillipbrande.com 