Hard Love. Sometimes that is what God's love seems like. We want easy. We want cushy. We want perfection. But sometimes, God's love lets us get messy, takes us down rough, pitted roads. We look for smooth sailing and find waves towering above us, threatening to overwhelm and pull us under. It's hard. It hurts. And we fight against it.
We fight God's love, His plan. We fight our circumstances, wallowing in self-pity when they don't change. We fight people, blaming them, letting anger or disappointment color our thoughts and feelings. Yet this is not the battle we are supposed to be fighting. The battle we are in is spiritual.
It's against the Devil and his minions, it's against our own flesh, our own sinfulness. As I listened to this song to day, I felt so strongly the Lord impressing upon me that I am fighting the wrong war.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me." It's not about me, it's not my way, it's following Jesus, the way of the Cross. Selflessness, humility, service, holiness, love. All those stand in contrast to my flesh, which wants things my way, when I want it, how I want.
Galatians 5:16-17 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Until we reach Heaven, we will have to stand against the inborn sinful nature we inherited from Adam and Eve. But we can win this battle, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 6:10-18 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
I get mad at people because they don't do or act the way I thing they should. They hurt me or hinder my plans (sometimes knowingly, sometimes unintentionally)....yet God wants me to die to self, exhibiting mercy and patience. He wants me to take time to love, time to care. I get upset with God for allowing circumstances instead of trusting His heart, knowing that even if the circumstances were engineered by Satan to derail me, compromise my witness or bring harm, God will still see me through, and bring beauty from sadness, difficulties and trial.
The battle is not against people, it's not against the difficulties of life, it's against my own sinfulness and the enemy of God's people--Satan. God is teaching me to fight the right fight!
Thank You Lord for clarity. Lead me to fight the good fight of faith, knowing that I do so in Your power and for Your glory. At the end of this life I want to say: I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful (2 Timothy 4:7.)
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.
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