Battle Ready
Conquering Life's Giants with Unshakeable Faith
Life is a journey filled with visible and invisible battles. The Bible makes it clear that these struggles are a natural part of our faith walk. No one escapes life without enduring spiritual, emotional, or physical scars. However, the good news is that we are not called to fight these battles on our own. 1
Timothy 6:12 reminds us to "fight the good fight of faith," relying on God’s strength to persevere. The Christian journey isn't about avoiding challenges, but about preparing for and enduring them with God by our side.
The Call to Battle
Most of us can identify with the feeling of facing a seemingly impossible challenge. It could be a difficult relationship, a health issue, financial instability, or a personal failure. The Bible acknowledges that these battles are inevitable.
In Ephesians 6:11-13, we are commanded to "put on the full armor of God to stand firm against the devil’s schemes." This is not a passive suggestion; it is a call to arms, a recognition that the Christian life involves intense spiritual warfare.
The easiest thing in difficult times would be to surrender, to give in to the flow of the world and simply "go with the flow." But this is not what we are called to do.
Christianity often requires us to swim upstream, to resist the pressures of the world, and to fight for what is right in God’s eyes. Sometimes the struggles can feel overwhelming, but great victories always follow great battles. Once you realize that you are on your way to something significant, your perspective on the battle changes entirely. Suddenly, the struggle has a purpose. You are not just enduring pain; you are moving toward a breakthrough.
Paul's Reflection on His Battle
The apostle Paul gives us a powerful example of enduring hardship with faith. In 2 Timothy 4:7, he looks back on his life and confidently declares:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Paul’s life was full of challenges—persecution, imprisonment, and suffering for the sake of the Gospel. Yet, when he reflects on his journey, he emphasizes three things: fighting the right battles, finishing his race, and keeping the faith.
Let’s break down these three crucial aspects of Paul’s journey and how they apply to us:
Fighting the Right Battles: Paul chose to fight for eternal causes, not temporal ones. Many of us are caught fighting battles that won’t matter in eternity—whether it’s pride, material success, or personal validation. But Paul’s battles were for the Kingdom of God. We need to align our efforts with what God says is important. What battles are you fighting? Are they the ones God has called you to engage in, or are they distractions from your true purpose?
Finishing the Race: Paul didn’t quit, even when quitting seemed like the most logical or comfortable option. He faced countless hardships, but he kept moving forward. Like Paul, we must press on in our race, even when the obstacles seem insurmountable. There will be moments when giving up feels like the only option, but finishing the race means persevering until the end.
Keeping the Faith: Through all his trials, Paul remained steadfast in his faith. He didn’t allow his circumstances to dictate his trust in God. Faith is not just a belief; it’s a way of life. It’s how we continue to walk when everything around us tells us to stop.
Heart of a Warrior
At the core of every battle lies the heart of the warrior. A person’s heart determines whether they win or lose. It’s not always the size of the obstacle, but the strength of the heart facing it. As the saying goes:
"It’s not about how much dog is in the fight; it’s about how much fight is in the dog."
The heart is central to this message, and we can break it down into five key elements to guide us in our battles.
H – Hardcore Faith: In the heat of battle, you need a faith that is "hardcore"—unwavering and resilient. Being battle-tested means developing an attitude above the norm. Hardcore faith doesn’t conform to casual Christianity; it stands firm in the belief that God can and will intervene in your life. This kind of faith is willing to persevere through difficulties and say, "I believe God can do anything."
E – Example: Every warrior needs someone to look up to—someone who has walked the path before and can inspire and encourage them. We are not meant to fight alone. Surround yourself with spiritual mentors or friends who can lift you up when you’re down. And just as you look to others for strength, be that source of strength for someone else. Be the encourager, the one who walks into a room and lifts others with your presence.
A – Availability: God isn’t looking for perfect people; He’s looking for available people. Throughout the Bible, God used those who were willing, even if they weren’t the most talented or qualified by worldly standards. David was a shepherd boy; Moses had a speech impediment; Peter was a fisherman. None of them were the obvious choice, but they were available when God called. Your availability to God is more important than your ability.
R – Readiness: Be ready for God to use you at any moment. Opportunities often come when we least expect them. The Bible tells us to be "instant in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2), meaning that we should always be prepared for what God might call us to do. This readiness requires staying spiritually alert and flexible, open to whatever God has planned.
T – Tenderness: A warrior’s heart must also be tender. Jesus exemplified both toughness and tenderness in His ministry. He confronted evil with boldness, but He also approached people with compassion and love. We, too, must learn to balance these qualities. There are times when we need to be strong, and other times when we need to show tenderness, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in both.
Facing Giants Like David
The story of David and Goliath is a classic example of what it means to face overwhelming odds with faith. Goliath was a towering giant, a symbol of everything Israel feared. Yet, David didn’t see Goliath the way everyone else did. Instead of focusing on Goliath’s size, David focused on God’s greatness. He didn’t call Goliath a giant; he called him an "uncircumcised Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:26)—someone who was not in covenant with God.
David’s victory wasn’t just about skill. He picked up five smooth stones not because he doubted his aim but because Goliath had four brothers. David was prepared for whatever came his way. Like David, we must prepare for battle with our own "smooth stones":
Faith: Faith keeps us moving forward, even when fear tells us to stop.
Love: Love keeps our motives pure, preventing bitterness from taking root during difficult battles.
Prayer: Prayer gives us strategy and insight from God, showing us the way forward.
Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit guides us on when to act and where to aim in every situation.
Praise: Praise holds everything together, reminding us of God’s greatness and power.
Victory is Promised
The Bible reassures us that "no weapon formed against us will prosper" (Isaiah 54:17). Whatever battles you are facing today, remember that God is with you. The enemy may try to intimidate you, but God is greater than any challenge before you.
If you feel discouraged, remember that you are on the verge of a breakthrough. Don’t give up. The battle may be tough, but great victories come after great battles.
