How We Fight Our Battles

---

Posted by Pat Elsberry, September 18, 2024

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" Joshua 1:9

Are there days when you feel like you're in the midst of combat? Perhaps you’re dealing with a situation at work that may have you feeling stressed. Then, when you come home, the kids aren't listening, and even your spouse can't seem to do anything right, so it gets on your last nerve. Do they understand you're under a lot of pressure? The list goes on and on. Why does it feel as if the heaviness and weight of this world are taking over every good thing? Friend, it's okay to feel overwhelmed, but no matter the battle you're fighting, you don't have to fight it on your own accord. So, what do we do?

Looking at the Contender before us, we realize he is nothing compared to the giant inside us! We may be knocked down, but we are not knocked out! This is the power of our faith; it empowers us to rise above our struggles. 

How is that possible? The ‘giant inside of you' is the Holy Spirit, a powerful force within you. It's the strength and resilience that you possess, the unwavering faith that you can overcome any challenge. He will carry you through by His might and the power of God's word. We are powerless by ourselves, but we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Alone, I'm just a mom missing her daughter. Alone, I'm just another person whose loved one has gone ahead to heaven. But with God by my side, I'm a woman who places her faith and trust in Him. We can turn to His word and remind ourselves of His promises. His support is unwavering, and we can find reassurance and comfort in that.

He will fight my battles for me (Exodus 14:14) and carry me through the valley of the shadow of death. (Psalm 23:4)

He is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is my strength and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

Each of these scriptures is a promise for you and me. Whatever battle you're facing, hold tightly to these promises and speak them out loud. Remind yourself of who you are – a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Together, we can make it through any battle by holding tight to our faith. We may be knocked down, but we will never be knocked out. This determination and hope in our faith is what will see us through.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me.” Psalm 23:4

Pat Elsberry is an author, speaker, blogger, and a passionate advocate for parents dealing with grief after the loss of a child. Pat created multiple social media groups focused on providing hope to others who are walking the same path, including her blog, Hope During Loss. Pat facilitates an in-person grief share for women who have experienced child loss, and is also a moderator for Team Sharing, a nationwide peer-led support group for parents who have lost children to substance use disorder. Pat is the author of Beautifully Broken: Finding Hope During Loss, and will soon release her first devotional, Comforted by God. Pat and her husband, Fred live outside Atlanta and have a blended family of 7 children and 5 grandchildren. Her favorite things include traveling, cooking, gardening, dark chocolate, and worship music. You can find Pat on her blog, www.hopeduringloss.com, and on Facebook and Instagram @HopeDuringLoss.