Knowing who you are in Christ changes things. It enables you to press through and grab a hold of everything that God has for you. Over the next couple of months, we will explore various aspects of our identity in the Lord. I am beginning with being a warrior equipped for battle because when we surrender our lives to Jesus we make the devil mad. Very often the starting point of our walk with God comes under the attack of the enemy because we have drawn his attention and he is threatened by who we are becoming.
What are the images brought to mind when you hear the word battle? Knights on horseback with their lance and shield, gladiators in a coliseum with daggers, or Vikings charging a village with axes? Whatever you imagine probably suggests something fiercely epic. Battle by definition means a hostile encounter or engagement between opposing forces, (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/battle). It requires struggle, striving, effort, and determination. Battle is the most difficult work there is. So what would you say if I were to tell you that God has equipped us not only for battle, but for victory as well?
You armed me with strength for battle.
You made my opponents bow at my feet.
Psalm 18:39
Part of your identity in Christ is that of a warrior prepared by God for battle. And, there are many battles that we will face in life. Some will be with our own wills and determination, but many we will face are waged by the enemy of our soul. The Bible tell us that it is Satan’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy. Often the enemy’s tactics are to attempt to stop you in your tracks, slow you down, distract you, and keep you from being effective at God’s purpose in your life. Because, when we are walking victoriously with the Lord, we have an impact on the world around us. We become the hands and feet of Father God extended to the people we encounter on a daily basis. We become a light, empowered by the Holy Spirit to shine in dark places.
So what do we do when the battle rages? And when more than one battle comes at us at simultaneously? In our own strength we are bound to become weary and overwhelmed, but we can’t stay in that mindset for long. We must not lay down and let the enemy keep kicking us. There is too much at stake. Instead we make a choice to GET UP, pick up our sword, which is the word of God, and stand firm. As daughter’s of the King of King’s, we can be authentic princess warriors declaring that we have the victory. We must believe that and walk in it. The ONLY way the enemy can ever win is if we give up. But when we continue in God’s strength, we are made perfect in our weakness. The praise of the Lord should be our battle cry at all times!
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
It does not escape me that there are times in our lives when we genuinely do not feel as if we can battle. Life happens and sometimes it treats us brutally. I want to encourage you if the season you are walking through seems too much for you, reach out to a pastor, a prayer line, a brother or sister in the Lord and allow them to do battle with you. There is no shame in relying on the people God has placed in your life. By bearing one another’s burdens, we fulfil the law of Christ.
What is one of the most difficult battles you have faced and how did you overcome it?
If you are facing a battle today, how can I pray for you?
(I don’t know about you, but I am prone to forget who I am at times. Visual reminders are my friend and in case they are yours as well, you can find printable downloads of Authentic Warrior Princess and Psalm 18:39 by clicking here.)
