Last night I found out some pretty devastating news. I was distraught. Worry filled my heart. I didn’t know what to do. (My family is fine.) So I lay in bed tossing and turning. Even an over-the-counter sleep aid could not calm my anxious mind.
Then the Holy Spirit asked me, “What would you tell a friend to do if they were in this situation?”
“Take their eyes off their problem and put them on you.” (Teachers really do make the worse students.)
So I grabbed my Bible. Psalm 27 was my first thought. I began to meditate on Psalms 27 – 30. As I did, the fear left the anxiousness left. I dozed off to sleep.
But it wasn’t long before I was awake again. My mind wanted to go back to the problem. I prayed in the Spirit and drifted back to sleep.
This happened several times throughout the night. Anxiousness knocked. It was answered with God’s promise or praying in the Spirit.
I had to FIGHT for peace. I had to FIGHT to hope. I had to FIGHT to believe.
I don’t want you to look at my life or any Christian’s life and think this faith thing is always easy. Maybe it is easy for some. But I want you to know this morning that God’s Word is true. He has given us peace. We are not without hope. All things are possible for those who believe. But sometimes laying hold of those truths requires a fight.
It’s not a fight to obtain something God is withholding. It’s a fight to hold onto something the enemy is trying to steal.
My battle raged throughout the night. I’m sure it will continue today. But I am committed to fight for my peace, my hope, my faith using His Word, Praying in the Spirit, and worshipping.
If anxiousness, hopelessness, fear, sickness, shame, guilt, regret, or lack are trying to steal your joy, your peace, your health, your provision, FIGHT! But fight knowing joy, peace, health provision are yours. Fight from a place of victory.
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13-14 NIV