“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” -2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (MSG)
One of my favorite songs of all time is a song called Surrounded (Fight My Battles) by Michael W. Smith. If you get a chance today to listen to that, you should do it! There are a couple lyrics that really speak to me.
“The word says "For the spirit of heaviness" "Put on the garment of praise" That's how we fight our battles (yeah)
(Just when you think you're lost)
It may look like I'm surrounded But I'm surrounded by You (hey) It may look like I'm surrounded But I'm surrounded by You” -Michael W. Smith
As a son and daughter of the Most-High God, God has given us tools (Praise, Word, Prayer) to defeat every spiritual dark force that would attack us. Every vile thought, every fear-scripture is specific about the how we fight (the process) our battles. A process is something to be endured. You can either be bitter, offended, angry, and stressed through the process- or you can stand up tall and take your place by God’s side and pick up the sword He has given you and start speaking life. THIS IS HOW I FIGHT MY BATTLES-
“For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind (self-discipline).”- 2 Timothy 1:7
This is how I fight my battles. Knowing that the Lord is with me, it says in His word that He will never leave and never forsake me! (Hebrews 13:5)
Isaiah 61:2-3
“to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”
When we choose to embrace suffering, and to endure and not run from a painful process from which we are learning at the same time- growth hurts right? When we choose to stand our ground and hold tight on to the Word of God with every fiber of who we are- I can guarantee you that you will be like this “oak of righteousness” a tree- not just any tree- a big oak tree- a planting of the Lord. Meaning that NO MATTER WHAT- no matter what comes your way- no matter how hot the fires of all the trials get- it will not take you out. Because your roots run deep. You choose to stand with wisdom and maturity. You choose not to act out on your feelings and succumb to defeat. You will walk in victory.
My prayer for you today mighty warrior, is that you would look at suffering in a whole new light. Things that grieve you, things that make you sad, that crush you, things that you can’t even wrap your rational thoughts (your mind) around, things that are hard, things that require much sacrifice from you- My prayer is that you would embrace the process, the suffering, and Jesus all at the same time. Let Jesus refine you, and cut off all the dead stuff that doesn’t need to be there. I pray that He would awaken your very soul to see and know that you are not alone and that you are more powerful than you think you are.
Choose to speak life, and watch what happens.