Pretending that there are no battles in life is a waste of time.
It is, however, a tool the enemy tries to use to get us to forget how to fight. After all, if there is no battle, this is no need for vigilance, warriors, or weapons. And that makes us unprepared, under trained, and without tools to fight.
Because the battles DO come. 2 Tim 2:3 says, “Join me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” This implies that signing up with Jesus means our Christian walk will not be easy and that you will be required to fight.
But GOD.
God does not leave us weaponless or alone to fight. It is our responsibility to be prepared and to pick up the weapons that He provides us. Because if we are ready, He is paving the way with His grace. This grace gives us the things we do not deserve, like help and victory in the battles we face in our lives.
The tools we are given are many— most importantly, the strength of Christ in you. Quickly following are prayer, humility, the Word of God, forgiveness, confession of sins, God-fighting for you, refuge, boldness, and hope. Each of these are both promises and weapons we use in obedience of the Commander of the Army of the Lord. They offer tools for the offense of the battle and for use in the defense. They are often laying useless at the feet of Christian soldiers—instead of worn, comfortable and at the ready, in the hands of the infantry.
So let’s agree that this battle is real! Let us fight together and see victory in the battles so that we can know that the Lord is real, and His provision for us in the fight can be counted on. Pick one of these weapons today and exercise it. Use it. Forgive your sister, confess your sin to the Lord, and move forward in forgiveness. Don’t let pride ruin your relationship with your boss; pray for the strength to follow through.
You don’t have to do all things today. Allow God to offer His grace to you in small ways that bring lasting change. Because as you see God fighting your battles for you and with you, you will discover another weapon that has power you never imagined. You will find thankfulness.
Thank God that His grace is on your side; thank Him for the strength for the refuge He offers. Your gratitude to Him will turn to praise of Him, and the enemy will have no choice but to flee before the power of praise in your life.
And then, your battle will transform. Grace is yours for the picking up in preparation. Grace will turn your battle into praise, and the ground will become firm beneath your feet as you follow Jesus into the battle.
Battles will come—Christian or not—but being a soldier of Christ Jesus gives you a place on the winning team. Likewise, Christ Jesus gives you victory in battles that seem too dark to fight. God will never leave you to fight alone. Use the tools, be prepared, be encouraged. Grace is on your side.
Study Further
“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 2:3 NLT
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7 NLT
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.”
Ephesians 6:11-14 NLT
“Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Zechariah 4:6 NLT
“At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.”
John 16:23 NLT
“Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised.”
Joshua 23:10 NLT
