“I have fought a good fight.” 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV
HERE ARE three more things to keep in mind when you’re under attack: (1) You are not unique. In a letter to persecuted believers, the apostle Peter said, “Be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters…are going through the same kind of suffering you are” (1 Peter 5:9 NLT). We are all on the same battlefield, but the Devil would love to convince you that you’re the only person who has ever experienced anything like this. That’s so you will feel like a failure and cut yourself off from the strength and support that comes from fellowship with other believers. Be wise; don’t let him do that to you. (2) Remove any hindrances. The apostle John writes, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God” (1 John 3:21 NIV). We all sin—the mistake lies in trying to cover it up, because “whoever conceals their sins does not prosper” (Proverbs 28:13 NIV). If you’re constantly struggling and being defeated, ask God to show you where the trouble spot is, draw on His grace, and deal with it. (3) Don’t quit. Anybody can begin a marathon, but it takes a champion to finish it. The apostle Paul writes, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV). Every one of us experiences adversity. But it’s those who stay strong to the finish who get the reward. So, pace yourself, and determine to go the distance. Study the lives of people like David, Esther, Deborah, and Paul. Remind yourself that their God is your God, and He has promised to bring you through victoriously.
Soul Food Reading: Joel 1-3, Matt 7:15-29, Ps 79, Pro 15:18-21
