Sometimes God uses Satan to take a preemptive strike in our heart to KEEP US FROM sin AND build our faith BEFORE we would have failed.  Paul called it his “thorn in the flesh.”  Consider the Scripture from 2 Cor 12:7-10…

To keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

“To keep me from” is how Paul described God’s preemptive strike at his heart.  Paul realized the “messenger of Satan” was God using Satan to prevent pride entering his life.  Get that!  To PREVENT.

There are times God uses Satan to PREVENT Christians from falling into sin!  It is possible that what you are going through (Or will go through) is NOT because you failed… or sinned… or did anything wrong, but rather it is a “pound of prevention” from the hand of God!  Meditate on the love of God in this truth.

When hardship, difficulty, or trial enters your life… ask God to reveal to you what He is doing in you for His glory and your good!  Instead of fighting God’s sanctifying work in you, be still… listen… pray.  You may very well live in verses 9-10 as a result!