Black Demons, Author Ramya srivastav, (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)
Fighting the demons of anxiety, depression, and PTSD or trauma-related addictions and eating disorders is a little like playing football [1][2]. We make headway then lose ground. But the fight never really ends, not the way a game of football does. There is no score.
We win by surviving another day.
Across Decades
It can be enormously discouraging to wrestle with the scars of abuse, sexual assault, or other trauma, decade in and decade out. Surely, we must after all this time have made progress.
But progress is not linear. Despite the passage of time, and an extensive list of medications – not to mention therapy – familiar demons can resurface.
Factors Impacting Our Success
So, are anxiety, depression, and PTSD or trauma-related behaviors ever really “conquered”? Can they, at least, be fought to a standstill? The answer depends.
The factors include the length and severity of the trauma we sustained; our particular genetics; the quality and extent of our medical treatment; our psychological and spiritual resources; the emotional support we have available; and the other stressors to which we are subjected.
None of these can be quantified. Most such demons can and do vary over the course of a lifetime.
The Struggle
Why not just throw in the towel (to mix sports metaphors)? After all, the struggle is exhausting. The struggle, however, is life.
How many extraordinary things are there in the world? The sound of thunder, a bird’s song, or a child’s laughter. The sight of the stars, or a son returning from war. The smell of the ocean, or freshly cut grass. The taste of homemade fried chicken. The touch of a loved one’s hand.
Only poets can describe such things adequately. Yet, the rest of us get to experience them everyday. That is worth fighting demons.
But we do not fight them alone.
Faith Walk
All of this is a faith walk. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5: 7). Some of us wrestle with the scars of abuse. Others wrestle with an endless variety of trials and challenges from disability or chronic illness to loss, poverty, and injustice.
God, however, walks with us. He strengthens us, and protects our minds against Satanic attack. In Him, we find respite from fighting our demons, whatever form they take.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6: 12).
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[1] I must disclaim any actual knowledge of football, up front. Fans of the sport will, I hope, forgive me.
[2] Jesus cast out demons, and healed all manner of illnesses. I do not mean to suggest that anxiety, depression, PTSD, addictions, or eating disorders are demons, in the sense referred to in Scripture. Satan may, however, use our discouragement to keep us from living the lives God intended for us.
Wishing you all a Happy Easter!
FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: http://www.alawyersprayers.com
ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More 
Wishing you and yours a happy and blessed Easter, Anna!
–Scott
Thank you, Scott. I was not online over the holiday. But I hope you had a beautiful Easter.
Thank you for this reminder of where, or in whom, our strength, protection, and peace lies, Anna. No matter the painful circumstances or traumas we contend with daily, we have a God who walks with us, daily, who never leaves or forsakes us, whose steadfast love never ends, who showers us with the blessings of life through people and through His creation, and most especially, through His Son.
Yes, “we win by surviving another day” . . . with Him. “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.” (1 John 3:1) Hallelujah! Love to you, Anna, and peace. ❤
You express it so beautifully, Dora. Much love to you, too. A. ❤
I think the comparison to football (or soccer, as I know it) is far from misplaced:
1. Both football and life are highly non-linear.
2. You can’t run in the same direction forever—circumstances force you to adapt.
3. The situation—like the ball’s position—can change abruptly.
4. One has to move toward where the ball is going, not where it used to be.
5. And perhaps most importantly, setbacks often make players better at reading and navigating the game—just like life. Victories, on the other hand, can make them complacent if they’re not careful.
6. And oftentimes, it’s not about holding the ball yourself. It’s about supporting your teammates—creating space, passing smartly, and reading the rhythm of the team. That kind of invisible contribution is often more important than scoring the goal. Because the quality of a team isn’t measured by its most glamorous players, but by how well those players are supported by everyone esle. Without the team, even the best would be lost.
In both life and football, quiet effort matters more than it seems. And glory rarely happens alone.
In both life and football, growth often comes not from the eaay wins, but from the missed passes and the hard-earned lessons.
What an extraordinary comment, Hubert! Unathletic as I am, I would never have come up w/ all these comparisons on my own. Thank you for so generously expanding my post in this way.
The pleasure’s mine, Anna.
Though honestly, it’s mostly my boys who keep updating my modest soccer knowledge—still rooted somewhere in my elementary school days.
Somehow, I’ve grown to really enjoy the soccer-related philosophy debates with my sons. It’s less about the rules or the players and more about the way they see the game—and, in a way, the world.
Always such good explanations. So happy to see you still blogging, Anna. I hope you are well.
xoxo Diana
Thank you, Diana. I hope things are good w/ you, too. ❤
I know of no power apart from divine blood-bought grace that can save the perpetrators and the wounded.
So right.
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