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Don’t Give Up on the Fight
“The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.”
—Helen Keller
When the waves of life have crashed relentlessly over your dreams, and your resolve, conviction, and passion gradually erode with each wave, it can be easy to think that you do not have what it takes to make a difference anymore. You start to believe lies about yourself, and about what stands in-between you and your destiny. The folly of your poor decisions and wrong priorities may have left you feeling defeated and nurturing a victim mentality. And if this were the end of your story, then it would be a tragedy indeed. But this is not the end of your story; this is only a chapter in it. And although you may feel insignificant, and you may want to give up, something in you whispers, “Get back up and give it all you’ve got.”
That something is the Spirit of God! God has not abandoned you, and He never will. While you draw breath, there is hope for you! What time and circumstances have eroded, His love will restore. You may not be able to solve all your problems in one day. But you can make a decision that puts you on the path that will lead you out. That is the decision to fight back. Fight back against discouragement, fear, and anxiety. It is time to rise above the pity party of self-doubt and condemnation. It’s time to get past the past and move forward. It’s time to rise up with a determined spirit and fulfill what God has destined you to accomplish. Quit waiting around for someone else to discover you, for someone else to believe in you, and for someone else to make your dreams a reality. God sees you and believes in you. He wants to see you realize your destiny more than you do! It’s not time to lie down. It’s time to get up and fight. It is time to push back. The Bible tells us to fight the good fight of faith. How do we do that? By putting our trust in God and acting on His Word. By believing that God is for us and will never forsake us, believing that He will help us to fulfill the plan and purpose He has for our lives. We know that no matter how deep the pit, how dark the night, or how insurmountable the difficulty may look, God will see us through.
Prayer
Lord, You have told me in Your Word to fight the good fight of faith, to put on the full armor of God so that I might stand against the strategies of the enemy—and win. You have told me to take the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit and face the challenges of this life with strength and courage. You have told me to fight and win life’s battles with the spirit of a conqueror. Here I am, Lord. Strengthen me by Your Spirit. Help me to fight against the forces of darkness that would try to destroy my soul. Within myself, I can do nothing, but with You and by Your Spirit, I can do all things. Give me the courage and fortitude to take my place as an overcomer of the world, a child of the Most High God. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Scriptures
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
—1 Timothy 6:12
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.
—2 Corinthians 10:4
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
—Ephesians 6:12-13 (NLT)
A Poem to Encourage
The Fighter
I fight a battle every day Against discouragement and fear; Some foe stands always in my way, The path ahead is never clear! I must forever be on guard Against the doubts that skulk along; I get ahead by fighting hard, But fighting keeps my spirit strong.
I hear the croakings of Despair, The dark predictions of the weak;
I find myself pursued by Care, No matter what the end I seek; My victories are small and few, It matters not how hard I strive; Each day the fight begins anew, But fighting keeps my hopes alive.
I have to fight my doubts away, And be on guard against my fears; The feeble croaking of Dismay Has been familiar through the years; My dearest plans keep going wrong, Events combine to thwart my will, But fighting keeps my spirit strong, And I am undefeated still!
—S.E. Kiser
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