Recognize the Battle

Mommies ~ I earnestly seek your prayers for a fellow mommy, Becky in Iowa, who was scheduled to deliver her baby this morning. Her little girl, diagnosed with Turner's Syndrome most recently, had already gone to be with Jesus. Please pray for Becky as she gives birth to this precious baby, and as she embarks on a tough road ahead.

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This post is the second of a series of posts this week, aimed toward preparing our hearts for our upcoming Hope Retreat! Even if you are not attending, there is some truth for you, so please keep reading. To read yesterday's post...the first of this series, click here.

Yesterday, we discussed all the many details that have to come together as we prepare for a night away this upcoming weekend, as we embark on our Hope Retreat. While all the details are important and necessary, I encouraged each of us to remember and prioritize the preparation of our hearts. Today, we will continue this discussion, focusing on our need to...

Recognize the Battle

What do you mean, recognize the battle? What battle? I know things are pretty hectic and busy and I may have even had a little tiff with my hubby this morning, but I wouldn't full out call it a battle! Can you relate? I know that this week has already been filled with distractions and unexpected happenings and expenses [hello new computer!] that have taken my attention and my heart off of the spiritual preparation for this weekend. I've spoken with others of you who are dealing with similar "battles" including sick children, childcare issues, husband's work schedules, your own work schedules, and the list goes on. What have your "battles" looked like this week?

Consider this verse from 2 Chronicles...

"This is what the Lord says to you, 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'"

2 Chronicles 20:15

Afraid. Discouraged. Vast Army. Battle. Wow...this verse is packed with all kinds of crummy stuff that I can relate to. Still, the hope lies in the last sentence of the verse, which says, "For the battle is not yours, but Gods." Relief! It's not our battle to fight, ladies. Satan, our enemy, is working against us always. He comes to wreak havoc on our lives, if we'd let him, and he seeks to destroy our relationships with others and with our God. Do not give him a foothold, especially as you work to prepare your homes and your hearts for this God-ordained time away.

I realize that the tasks must be accomplished and the issues must be resolved and we certainly have a role in making those things happen. The power we have, which comes from Christ, lies in our ability to choose to do so with joy and thanksgiving, equipped with the full armor of God. When we recognize the battle for what it really is - a sly form of spiritual warfare - scheming against our attempts to bring glory to our God, we can take that step back remember Who we belong to, and persevere. I leave you with the wise words of Paul from his letter to the Ephesians, where he says...

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For 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 6:10-12

What battles are you currently facing? How can we pray for you? What can you do, in God's power, to reign victoriously through the battle?