Have you ever considered the fact that we are all in a fight?
Whether it feels that way or not, we are in a war. But the question is…Are you on the winning side? Are you living like you are on the winning side?
Every day we are in a spiritual battle, fighting an invisible enemy.
We are all striving for spiritual growth, good health (physical, mental and emotional), financial stability, healthy relationships, fighting temptations and ultimately trying to fulfill our purpose in this life!
But something I’ve been reminded of recently is that we’ve got to learn how to fight smart and stop letting the enemy get the upper hand.
“For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.”
(2 Corinthians 10: 3-4, AMP)
Yeah we have the assurance that as Christians we will win in the end but are we barely making it by day by day? Are we getting punched and knocked down every time we get up or are we the one’s throwing the punches at the devil and fighting with confidence? Selah…
Many of us may know the scriptures about spiritual warfare but it’s another thing to apply them and live them out.
Something God has been showing me, is that our fighting strategies will look different in different seasons and situations of our lives but we’ve always got to be in tune with our coach, the Holy Spirit.
We’ve got to follow His leading because He knows what the best moves to win each round are.
Yeah sometimes we are going to get knocked down, sometimes the fear and doubt might try to cripple us and sometimes we just may not have the strength to fight. But I’m here to remind you that daddy God, the world champion, is going to help you fight!
“But He said to me “My grace is sufficient for you [My loving kindness and my mercy are more than enough-always available-regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12: 9; AMP)
So are you tired of the enemy getting the upper hand? I know I sure am. I just want to share a few practical ways God has been reminding me and teaching me on how to fight smart.
1. Prayer and fasting: We’ve got to keep praying without ceasing and even when we don’t know what to pray the Word promises that the Spirit will intercede on our behalf, isn’t that beautiful?
I encourage you to keep a prayer journal and even a book of prayers to read when you need some guidance. Also, spend some time fasting (from food, social media etc.) because some breakthroughs come only through prayer and fasting. (Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 17:21)
2. Worship: “Your presence is my greatest weapon” Natalie Grant sings and man is it true! Spending time in worship, in the presence of God is such a liberating experience. Worship Him in the morning, throughout the day and at night. Praise Him even when it hurts, during the battle and when the victory is won! (Psalm 114:7; Psalm 16:11)
3. Read and declare the scriptures: The Word of God is powerful and effective and the Lord promises that it will not return unto Him void. When we declare the Word of God daily things have to change! (Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:11)
4. Bring in back up: Call on some friends, family or elders to help you pray. It’s not weak or lazy to ask for prayer but the Word encourages us that we should come together (even if virtually) to pray for each other. You can even add your prayer request to the Youversion prayer list. (James 5:16; Matthew 18:20)
5. REST! Yup I said it. Sometimes in this fight, we have to take some “time-out’s” and rest in the promises of God and just lean into His loving arms. Yes we should surrender every battle to the Lord but for some, we just have to stay calm and let God fight on our behalf. (Deuteronomy 1:30; Exodus 14:14)
6. Obedience: Walking in obedience to the Word and voice of God grants us victory and keeps us in line with the will of God. (1 Kings 2:3; 1 Samuel 15:22)
7. Seek wise counsel: Lastly, some battles may be tricky and it’s okay to ask a more mature Christian for wisdom and direction. (Proverbs 20:18; Proverbs 24:6)
Your dreams are worth fighting for! Your peace of mind, hope, joy and love are worth fighting for! Your relationships (N.B. some, not all) are worth fighting for! Your healing and deliverance are worth fighting for!
My dear, you are worth fighting for and I’m here to remind you today that God is fighting for you!
A wonderful friend of mine recently sent me an encouraging quote that I want to share with you too.
“The enemy doesn’t attack you because you’re weak. The enemy attacks because you’re called.” Allyson Rowe Schaffer
So be encouraged when it feels like it’s just one thing after the other, because friend, God’s got big plans for your life, so hold fast and keep pressing on in Jesus.
Also, the Lord reminded me of a worship song recently that really encouraged me and motivated me to write this blog so here a few words from it…
“Now I’m moving by faith and not by sight,
Towards victory by the power of Your might,
You’re straightening out my past and opening every door.
I am Your child and I’m worth fighting for.
Eyes haven’t seen, ears haven’t heard
All you have planned for me,
And nothing can separate me from your love,
When there’s so much more still worth fighting for.”
I pray that you have been encouraged and empowered to keep on fighting, God’s got you! And I pray that you learn and grow from each battle! Much love and grace to you.
Yours truly,
Esther
“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and deceits of the devil.”
(Ephesians 6:10-11)
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