Forward again

Sometimes I just feel like giving up. After struggling with something for so long - even years - I just get weary. It doesn't seem like I have made any progress, and sometimes it looks like things have gotten worse. I just want to give it up and let it go, lay down my sword and shield. Chalk it up to another something that I just cannot overcome, finish, conquer.

Then in my devotional today I read this:

And I think if we're honest, we would admit to being vulnerable to Satan's whisperings that our faith is a fraud and that there is no God and no help as we struggle to survive.

That snapped in me. My fighter instinct came alive, telling me this is not just a game - I have a real enemy out there who wants nothing more than to disarm me and make me feel powerless. The very fact that he tries so hard tells me that my power (in Christ) is very real, very strong, and influential.

The devotional did not leave it there.

14 God says, "I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them."
Psalm 91:14-15

So, with renewed vigor and a sense of His presence by my side (isn't it amazing what a little worship of the King of Kings can do?), I again take up my sword and shield.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:10-18

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Hebrews 12:1

Word for the year: 

Forward!