Fighting Your Battle

I have been blessed this week by a very good reminder from blogger Jennifer Bagnaschi. It concerns making things easier or harder for ourselves when situations get tough. When you find yourself in the midst of some difficulty, what is the very first thing you do? Do you pick up the phone and tell a friend? Do you complain to the first person you see, sharing all your frustrations? It’s human nature to vent to those around us. Why not? It’s good to let off steam, isn’t it?

I like to share my irritations and annoyances with trusted friends; however, I have been challenged by Jennifer Bagnaschi’s blog this week, to pay attention to whom do I go first? You already know the right answer, don’t you. Our Heavenly Father surely has to be the first with whom we share our troubles. It even plainly tells us that in Philippians 2:14-16, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may be blameless and harmless, children of God without fault…” Our enemy, Satan, loves to hear us complain because it makes us weak. It focuses us on our troubles. Satan doesn’t want us remembering that it is God Himself who can intervene on our behalf. God is most able to fight our battles, whether they be physical or emotional.

Do you remember the story of Moses in the Old Testament book of Exodus? He was leading the people of God out of Egyptian slavery. The people were nervous, scared. Understandable. They faced death if the Egyptian army caught them. What was Moses’ advice to them? We read it in Exodus 14:13-14, “Moses told the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.'” I find this piece of advice amazing! It’s so hard to do in the midst of trouble — but completely with good result if we do.

Sharing with each other is a good thing. We help to hold each other up, but never in place of God Himself. The next time a frustration or time of trouble crosses our paths, may we remember — leave complaining to a friend on the sidelines; stand in God’s presence first. Tell Him all about it, then watch Him fight the battle for you.

Never forget — He is your everything to get you through anything.