Having Done All
I grew up in a house where fighting was always wrong. Maybe it's because our house had no boys only girls, but my view of the word 'fight' always came with a negative connotation. I have never been in a physical fight with anyone and I find videos of fights on social media absolutely repulsive. I refuse to watch people hit each other and make a fool of themselves. Fighting to me is just plain silly.
My husband is an exact opposite. He is strong and opinionated and bold beyond anything I could imagine of being. He holds firm to his beliefs and refuses to cave just because someone sees things differently than him. I call him my Defender of Women because God has so graciously given him a Daddy's heart. Watch out boys. Yet, he is not a bully. He is the complete opposite of a bully. He is loving and kind and accepts all people in all forms. But let me assure you, he is always ready for a fight. A worthy fight. He has taught me so much about the fights that life throws at us- and whether we want to our not- we have to give a response to them. By not, we are allowing it to control us and we in turn become complacent and ineffective.
We all have fights in our life worth fighting: We fight to give our kids a better life than we had, we fight for our marriages, we fight for our ministries, we fight against sickness, we fight against depression and anxiety, we fight to hold onto the promises of God in our life, maybe you are fighting for a specific person under your influence... we have all been there. Some fights are just worth it. We fight in our minds on a daily basis. We fight to expand our capacity and leadership- if it were easy it wouldn't be a fight. You have to make a commitment to grow beyond your insecurities. But here is the thing with every fight- "When I take new territory, someone else is loosing it." And that is where most of us will agree that we make the choice- is this really worth it? Is it really worth stirring things up in the spiritual realm? Is it really worth making my family more vulnerable to more attacks so that they can get better? Is it really worth the extra time and effort? Is it really worth taking more time out of my schedule to counsel with them? Is it really worth spending more time in prayer about? Is it really worth me paying again for them? Is it really worth working through my insecurities?
See, a fight will always go past your gift and go straight to your identity. It will go beyond what you do; to who you are. And that's where things get personal. "Do they not know how busy I am?" "I can't handle this today." "How dare they make me feel like this." "I don't make a difference anyway." So what are you going to do when the fight comes and all your thoughts are telling you, "You don't belong here." Will you allow yourself to be displaced? Displaced from where you are called to be.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one, and take up the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for the saints.
Wherever there is a fight- there is a victory. It is always worth it on the other side. Sometimes my biggest enemy is "I'm too tired." Too tired to keep fighting. Too tired to keep caring. Psalm 18:39 says, "For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. Will I allow myself to be displaced from what He has called me to? He equips every part of me for the journey: body, soul and spirit. I can't afford to loose perspective. One of my biggest fights that I face is feeling inferior to the platform He has given us. I often feel dumb and have the thought, "Someone else can do my part better." I have to decide to pick up this fight and give it the response: "I AM CALLED TO MY PLATFORM. I KNOW HOW TO RESPOND MATURALLY TO IT AND I WILL NOT ALLOW MYSELF TO BE DISPLACED FROM WHERE GOD HAS PLACED ME- NO MATTER WHAT MY INSECURITIES SAY."
There are some fights in your life that you keep pushing aside thinking someone else will handle it. I am hear to tell you that it is time to pick up the fight and drag it to the finish line. No matter if it comes waging war every day or flares up every six months or so. It can be a personal fight or a fight for another person's soul. People are always worth your fight. They were worth Jesus' ultimate fight. If you need to pick up and carry someone for a while- do it. Fight for them the way you want someone to fight for you. Respond maturely to the fights that come to the doorstep of your heart. Stay alert, stand firm and remember that there is always victory on the other side. Be confident and don't allow your insecurities to shrink you into living a small life. It's time to remind your soul who you are.
With You Heart & Soul,
