How to Fight a Battle

A battle rages.

Daily, moment-by-moment.

The chaos surrounds us.

Often we stumble and fall.

But the battle is not what it seems.

Our struggle is not caused by disobedient children, angry bosses, broken bodies, or crazy drivers.

No, it comes from our sinful flesh and the enemy of our souls. They engage the Spirit that lives in us – the adopted sons and daughters of the King. (Ephesians 6:12)

How do we fight our battles then?

These unseen battles against unseen foes.

Where do we turn?

How do we fight the spiritual battle without placing physical people in the crossfire?

Are disobedient children, angry bosses, broken bodies, and crazy drivers to be left as casualties in our spiritual battle?

Can there be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in the midst of a spiritual battle? (Galatians 5:22-23)

Isn’t the true battle won and lost in our hearts and minds?

The battle is not so much about the physical war, but the inner battle.

When the potty training child refuses to poop in the potty and two minutes later soils his pants. Mom, although she wants to rant and rave and her heart is hot and eyes on fire, turns to heaven instead. She asks God to show her joy and help her see His plan in the poop. She offers firm, but patient discipline, without the yelling. She has won the battle.

When the angry boss cusses you out for the tenth time that morning, and although you desire to give him a little piece of your mind, instead you give him to God. You seek God’s peace and patience through the trial and wisdom for where God wants you to go. Then as God leads, you carefully voice your position, in humility, patience, love. You have won your battle.

The battle is in and for your heart. When you fight the heart battle with the strength of God’s Spirit and His armor (Ephesians 6:13-18), He wins the battle for you. Then God reigns down justice for it is His to avenge (Romans 12:19), not ours. He rights the injustices either in this world or the one to come.

So how do we fight a battle?

• Remember the battle is not against flesh and blood
• Arm yourself with God’s word and His armor
• Remember to turn your eyes to heaven, acknowledge God in the midst of the chaos
• Keep in mind that it is God’s to avenge, not ours
• Remember that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4)

What helps you to fight your battles? I can’t wait to hear.