The following is a journal entry inspired by Bob Seger’s song, “Against the Wind.”

“There are a lot of odds up against me right now.  But I believe there are more odds for me.  I would say that the majority of the kids who go through a program end up going right back down the crooked path that twists and winds and leads to nowhere.  I have done my best at staying away from people and things that are going to strengthen my odds of failing.  So far, doing this has not been extremely difficult.  I will admit though that I have felt the same feelings of boredom that I felt the last time I relapsed.  But I guess I can’t say they were quite the same, because this time I knew that it was like a trap hiding under the leaves waiting to snatch its prey.  I reacted like a more wise, experienced animal that had been trapped, and when I felt a sense of insecurity I instantly knew I needed to act fast or something bad might happen.  In these situations I instantly got a hold of somebody of good influence to talk to or see…I am one determined young man.“

I think this describes perfectly, and profoundly, the struggle of any person seeking to do right in a hostile world.  (And I love the use of figurative language!)

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8