Internal Battles

Good morning. I sincerely hope everyone had a peaceful Christmas. I normally don’t write an encouragement this early but as I sit here and look at the fresh fallen snow I felt moved to share. Yesterday’s devotion by Oswald Chambers spoke about the many battles we all face and how we win or lose them.

As I was coming home from church, I saw something that truly brought that devotion front and center. It was not as cold as it was on Christmas but it was still 35 degrees. Sitting on the wall in front of the police station was a large, and I assume homeless, woman in shorts, sweatshirt and coat but no shoes. Her hair was in multiple braids of black and blonde and she was strumming an electric guitar(that was not plugged in) and to her I guess she was singing, although it sounded more like cats fighting. I was stopped by the red light so I was able to watch her and pray for her for a few minutes.  She was definitely fighting a battle, either one of her own creation or one created  by others around her. We  are all fighting battles, some small and some large. Some of our own creation and some created by those around us but it is how we handle those battles that lets us know if we won or if the battle won.

Our battles are first won or lost in the secret places of our will in God’s presence, never in full view of the world.  Oswald Chambers 

Oswald reminds us that these battles can last from a minute to an ongoing lifetime. We all know of Paul’s battle with his thorn was a life time although we don’t really know what the thorn was. One battle I fight of my own making is opening my mouth when I know I should keep it closed. And one battle that was made by others that I deal with is the instant fight mode I can get into when snarky or aggressive attitudes come my way that came about as a result of an abusive marriage. I give these examples to show that we all have battles and that we all need to pray for each other because we understand that once the battle is won before God we become victors of the issue.

Nothing has any power over someone who has fought the battle before God and won there. Oswald Chambers

But why does it seem some battles last forever, that no matter how many times we lay it at His feet we still have this battle? That is only a question God and you can answer but my theory is the strength we gain through the battle itself. We then can understand how to help others as they fight their own battle.

Plus it drives us through the battle, back to the cross, back to His love where the real peace is found.

So as we start to think about the new year, let us walk closely with God so that we are ready to share our battles with Him. And when God shows you a battle being fought by others, be in prayer for them. Even in a year where we can’t touch physically, we can’t touch spiritually through prayer and encouragement.
And as always remember to be kind, especially when it is obvious a battle is being fought. That kindness may be the strength someone needs that day to fight their battle.

I also wanted to share with you the trailer of my new book. If you are an animal lover, you might enjoy it. Totally fiction about our dogs who are in heaven waiting for us to arrive and the things God has them doing to better the kingdom.