What would Uncle Screwtape say about you?
C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters, pulls back the curtain on another world, or more accurately, a concealed dimension of the world we now inhabit. He gives us the eyes to see the invisible world that many would dismiss as the stuff of fairytales. However, in our Story, the darkness is real. As I tell my children, "What you don't see is often more real than what you do see."
Uncle Screwtape, the elder and seasoned devil, is giving counsel to his young nephew, Wormwood, on how best to assault his 'patient' [ i.e. human victim]. Many of you have read this account.
But here's what I'm wondering: if you were young Wormwood's victim, how would Uncle Screwtape counsel young Wormwood to approach you?
Let's say Uncle Screwtape had a dossier - a briefing paper - on you, which he shares with his young protege, complete with details about you, including where his young apprentice should exercise caution in approaching you. Why should he fear you? What would that dossier say? [After all, he's been watching you for years; for you are his assignment.]
For example, the dossier might say:
"Use caution when approaching Mr. Noble, for he has an uncanny ability to sniff out any shaming devices you might use against him. Therefore, you will have to be more subtle and persistent if you are to unravel his confidence in his new identity."
Or,
"You will have to devote yourself to long-suffering as you vex and harass Ms. Noble, because she understands that you are after her beauty, and she is more than capable of deflecting the malicious barbs you might whisper in her ear. Wear her down over time so that through sustained erosion, she will no longer believe she's lovely or loveable."
What unique strengths of heart, what confidence of identity do you possess that would thwart Uncle Screwtape's and his young apprentice's intentions for you? What is so noble and firm within you that causes them to fear you, or at least re-evaluate their plan of attack towards you?