“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” —1 Peter 1:3-9

Where are you today in your walk with Christ? Are you facing opposition, temptation, lies, persecution? Are you overwhelmed by constant struggles with no escape route in view? Wherever you are in your journey and regardless of what you are facing, I want you to know there is still HOPE.

“I need you to fight like never before!” were the words I spoke to myself. I just had to believe that all was not lost and that I could feel arise from my current situation. I’d found myself wearied from my current battle and I almost gave in to the lies that I was already defeated.

Isn’t that how the enemy works? He attempts to fill our minds with thoughts and lies to the point we may feel overwhelmed which could lead us to giving in to his tactics if we choose not to fight. And with the access we give him, he can have a field day and we then find ourselves in a deeper hole than we intended. That’s why we are to “cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” —II Corinthians 10:5-6 NKJV

The Bible speaks quite a bit about fighting and the different tools to help us in our battles. Recall 1 Timothy 6:12 where Paul instructs us to “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 (KJV).” Paul also gives us insight into how powerful our weapons are when he stated, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds” (1 Corinthians 10:4). There is another scripture where he advises us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

These are just a few examples but the Bible is full of scenarios and stories that detail events of battles, sometimes amongst others in the physical as well as in the spirit. The thing is, as followers of Christ, we will experience warfare. There are battles going on in the spirit and we have to make sure we are prepared and armed for them. With that being said, we have to break free from passivity. Each day we have the choice to partner with Him because no matter what we face, we know “God causes us to triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14a).

For the battle weary, I encourage you to allow the following Scriptures to encourage you and be a point of reference for you in your daily battles.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””

Matthew 11:28-30

“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.” —Psalm 144:1-2

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagle, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:28-31

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” —Psalm 91:1-4

“For the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’” —Deuteronomy 20:4

I encourage you to partner with God. Allow His Word to become alive in you as you meditate on it day and night. Know that you have every necessary tool to arise from any situation you may be facing. Don’t lose hope! Know that God is with you!

May this song encourage you as well! And until we meet again, grace and peace to you!

—Protector by Kim Walker-Smith