Sweet Victory!
- Rita Larson
- Apr 16, 2023
- 3 min read
This past week was a long week. I had to work out of town all week and have to do the same next week, so only had a few days home. Sunday morning, up early and starting to get ready for church, I told my husband that I was tempted to stay home and immediately followed it up with "but we are going". The next thing I know, our electric goes out on a beautiful sunny morning. Without hesitation, I told my husband that I would fix my hair on the way to church since we have an electrical outlet in the car. So we got ready, got in the car and started to church and then wouldn't you know it, my curling iron would not heat up. By this time I was frustrated and shared with my husband that the devil is working hard this morning. While this was not a dire situation, it did get me thinking about how the devil finds ways to cause chaos and confusion.
Have you ever felt like giving up? Have you ever been in a situation where you just couldn't see a way out? You're not alone. Everyone goes through tough times and faces overwhelming situations that can make them feel like quitting. Temptation is a powerful force that can make us stumble and fall. It can lead us down a path of destruction and despair. But we don't have to give in to temptation. We have the power to resist and overcome it. The first step is to recognize when we're being tempted. We need to be alert and aware of our surroundings and the people we're with. We also need to be mindful of our thoughts and emotions. When we feel tempted, we can pray for strength and guidance.
Overwhelming situations can also make us feel like giving up. Whether it's a personal problem or a global crisis, it can be hard to see a way forward. But we need to remember that we're not alone. We have a community of believers who care about us and want to help. We can also turn to God for comfort and guidance. He is always with us, promising never to leave us nor forsake us! We can pray for strength and wisdom to navigate the situation. We can also take practical steps to address the problem. Breaking it down into smaller, manageable tasks can make it less daunting. With confidence, knowing who we are in Christ, and resilience we gain when we overcome setback and failures, we can learn from our past mistakes and move forward.
There will be times in our lives when we're faced with tough situations that challenge our values and beliefs. It can be tempting to take the easy way out and compromise, but that's not always the right choice. Sometimes we need to stand up for what is right, even if it's hard. This requires courage and conviction. We need to be willing to speak up and take action, even if it means facing opposition or criticism. Remember, we have a God who loves us and fights for us. Our battle is His battle. We can find strength and comfort when we seek God. We can pray for guidance and wisdom to navigate difficult situations. We can also turn to the Word of God for guidance and encouragement. We know that the battle is already won. Jesus has already defeated sin and death. We can have confidence in His victory. Even when we face obstacles and setbacks, we know that we're on the winning side.
In Ephesnias 6:12, Paul reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil. He encourages us to put on the armor of God to protect ourselves from these forces. The armor of God includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Putting on the armor of God is a daily practice. It involves staying grounded in our faith and being intentional about our thoughts and actions.
In Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus reminds us that blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. He encourages us to rejoice and be glad, because great is our reward in heaven. Even when we face opposition and persecution for standing for what is right, we can have confidence in our eternal reward.
The urge to quit is a natural response. Giving up is not an option. We were made to persevere and overcome. By recognizing and overcoming temptation and overwhelming situations, standing for what is right, and finding strength in our faith, we can fight the good fight and defeat the devil's urging for us to quit. Remember, the battle is already won! Onward and Upward!! ©Rita Larson 4/16/2023
Song of the Day:
Comments