Last week there was a flood of emotional battles within me… primarily an ache on my heart for loved ones going through tough times – marital, financial and physical health. I wake up everyday with a choice to make and a will to satisfy. I can choose to be happy or I can choose to be sad. I can have the will to step out in faith or have the will to give in to fear. I can choose to go down on my knees and pray or choose to stand on my feet in my own strength and understanding. I can have the will to fight the enemy into God’s hands or allow myself to be worn down by the enemy.
In every battle we face, His word says “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:12. When we are preparing for a physical fight be it for fun or as a profession there are basic necessities that you take with you or must have. For me when I need to ‘box’ away my extra fat I always have my boxing gloves (pink of course), water to hydrate and a towel to wipe away my sweat and spills. It is the same attitude we must employ when we go to ‘box’ away whatever we are facing…the enemy… spiritually into God’s hands. The pair of boxing gloves represents praying at all times putting on the full armor of God (truth, righteousness, faith, peace, salvation, His Word); the water represents His Word hydrating our souls and the towel represents the constant praise and worship to our father wiping away the old and renewing our spirits daily.
So where is your fight? Your fight isn’t against whatever you are going through. Your fight isn’t yours at all. What did the Lord do for the people of Judah and Jerusalem under King Jehoshaphat? He told them “do not be afraid or discouraged because of the vast army. For the battle is not yours but God’s” 2 Chronicles 20:15 . Jehoshaphat and his men did 3 things effectively, they POPed:
Praised and worshiped God for the splendor of his holiness as they went to battle v.18-21
Obeyed God’s word through His prophet v.14
Prayed earnestly and fervently anywhere v.6-12
In this same way we must learn to fight! We must POP the enemy away- Praise God, Obey God, Pray to God! Put on your full armor and punch the enemy so continuously and hard he falls into God’s hands dazed and confused!
When the doctor gives you or a loved one a bad report – POP When the car won’t start – POP When your child hits your last nerve – POP When that driver cuts you off – POP When that boss is unreasonable – POP When that bank account is looking jacked up – POP When your marriage is going through it – POP When you are at your wits’ end – POP Whatever the battle – give it to God …and just POP
Be blessed!
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