Fight the Good Fight

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 

1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV

Down I fell, flat on my face! I was running downhill with my dog when suddenly she darted ahead. I hung onto the leash trying to slow her down. Instead, her momentum pulled me down until I was face down in the dirt. 

Try as I might, spiritually I get knocked down as well. We are all soldiers in a spiritual battle. God allows us to go through battles to strengthen our faith. 

I used to picture a strong, valiant warrior ready for any fight. He is able to easily wield his weapons, striking down every foe effortlessly and soundly. I now see someone who is exhausted mentally, physically, and spiritually. He has endured one attack after another. He lies face down on the ground with little fight left while every fiber of his being screams, “Give up!” God gives him the strength to lift his head and whisper, “Yet I will trust Him.”

The lies of the enemy kept swirling around in my head. I could easily have grabbed onto one and taken it as truth, as I have done many times in the past. The harder choice was to focus on God’s truth and refute the lies. As the battle raged on, the more I believed in God’s word, the more His truth prevailed. 

Will this be my last battle? No, there will be many more to come. But I have learned that God’s word is true, and He is with us in the fight. He promises, I will never leave you, nor forsake you (Joshua 1:6). I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

Be brave, be strong. Bravery is going back into the battle. Knowing it will be difficult.  Knowing you may fail. Knowing God has a purpose, although it may be hard to see.

Jesus, help us to watch and stand in you alone, with strength and bravery, as we face today’s struggles.

Terri