We are all either going trough a battle, coming out of a battle, or getting ready to head into a battle. Life is full of battles. Some are big and some are smaller. Some of them are a result of the enemy (demons), some are from our own poor choices, some are a result of living in a world full of sin and pain, and some are sent to test us. There are times we are tested to grow us and make us who God created us to be.

What we do in the battles is what will shape our walk with the Lord. We can allow the hard times to make us angry, bitter, resentful, and shrink our faith. Or we can do the exact opposite and allow those times to grow our faith, patience, endurance, peace, and our relationship with the Lord. James 1:2-4.

When I think about people I admire from the Bible it is the ones who have withstood the battles of life that really stand out to me. Not only do they withstand they come out on the other side stronger in the Lord, full of faith, and walking in the identity given to them by God. I think of Esther. She risked her life to stand in the gap for her people. David ran to battle with the giant because he knew who his God was! Abraham trusted God way before he saw the promises of God unfold and he was known as a man of faith. The list goes on and on.

I want to share some lessons I have learned while being in the heat of battle.

1. Walk by faith and not by sight. We have to choose to walk by faith. It is not easy and it does not come naturally. We must get in the Word of God and allow His Word to feed our faith. His Word must become life to us. Write out scriptures that speak to your situation and say them over your life daily, sometimes multiple times a day. Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7

2. Choose to focus on God and not the battle. When you feel like you are sinking look up to Him and keep your focus on Him and not the storm. Literally speak life over the situation and refuse to speak death. Proverbs 18:21. Do not allow your emotions to be your guide. They will run you all over the place and they will often lie to you. Our emotions change with the wind. That is why we must have a firm foundation in God and His Word for our guide.

3. Refuse to get bitter over something you do not understand. There are times we go through things that just do not make sense. We don’t understand why we have to face the situation and we can allow confusion, doubt, and anger to take over. We must be willing to say, “Lord, I have no idea why this is happening, but I choose to trust You no matter what.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

4. Lean into God and not away from Him. Battles so often make or break our relationship with the Lord. Run to Him and find your rest in Him. Isaiah 25:4; Psalm 91

5. Use your weapons of warfare against the enemy in spiritual warfare. No matter what battle we are facing the enemy will try to come in a kick us when we are down. Make sure you do not forget to stand firm in your spiritual warfare. Some of the weapons you can use are: the Word of God, verbally assaulting the enemy, worship, verbally commanding the demons to leave in the name of Jesus, and fasting. Ephesians 6:12; Ephesians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Luke 10:19; Isaiah 54:17

6. Get support and don’t face the battle alone. Having others pray for you is very important and very powerful.

7. Worship is a must in any season of life. Take time to get in the presence of the Lord and thank Him for His goodness. Sometimes we do not have many words to speak, but we can just say “thank You, Lord.” It is not about the words so much as it is about our heart. Psalm 150:1-6; Hebrews 13:15; Isaiah 25:1

8. Spend time sitting at His feet talking to Him. Prayer is a two way street. We talk to Him and He talks to us. Don’t neglect your time with Him. Learn to take time just sitting and talking with Him. Luke 10:38-42.

9. Surrender is vital and a must. We have to live surrendered lives to Him. We are called to crucify our flesh, pick up our cross, follow Him, and be His imitator and the only way to do these things is through surrender to Him. Galatians 5:24; Galatians 2:20 ; Romans 6:6; Galatians 5:16; Colossians 3:5.; Ephesians 5:1-33.

Whatever you are holding back decide right now to lay it at His feet in full surrender to Him. Your hopes, dreams, past, future, family, addictions, sin, pain, relationships, doubt, and anything else you are holding–lay it all down. We must decrease so He can increase.

10. Remember this is a season, not a life sentence. You are going through this battle and it will not last forever. What you do in the meantime is what matters. How you allow it to shape you will determine your walk with the Lord.

I want to encourage you to use the battles you face as a refining tool to make you more like Jesus and to solidify your relationship with Him. Malachi 3:3; Zechariah 13:9; 1 Peter 1:7; Isaiah 48:10.

Romans 5:3-5

And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Blessings,

Nichole Henson, Fullness of Joy Ministry

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