Staring into the face of news that utterly frightens one to the core, recently retired teacher faced her new found answers with great courage to fight her battle. The diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma while shocking was an answer to questions of health concerns that had plagued her for years. While cancer was a battle she would not win, it would not be the first battle she had faced with great courage.
Where to find strength to fight your battles
We all face battles honestly. They may not be a recent cancer diagnosis, but in our own private world the battle is great. The key is to be fully armed and ready to fight that battle with great courage. Where do you begin to find your strength for such battles?
The Armor of God 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Paul writes to the church at Ephesus reminding them to be strong in the Lord. Their strength for the battles ahead should come from the full armor that God has given them. As our children were little, we would sing this song to remind them how to be fully dressed in Gods armor ready for battle.
When our oldest daughter was young we memorized Deuteronomy 31:6 For her it was a battle of overcoming fear of the situation, and we used these verses to remind her to be strong and courageous. No matter the battle that one faces God is beside you walking with you the Lord our God is with us and to not fear.
Asking for courage to fight your battle
Daily asking God for this courage is important. When we struggle to believe this truth for ourselves, we must ask Him daily to remind us that He has provided us with this type of courage. In the New Testament verses referring to courage we find that we are to take courage and to keep courage. This means it is something we forget and put down over time so it inclines us to ask God daily for the courage needed to fight the battles before us.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 NIV
Study the Courageous
Look at the men and women in the Bible who have lived as examples of being courageous warriors of God. When we see examples of people who have lived through battles as strong and courageous people who follow hard after God, then we are encouraged to stay firm in our own fight. Joshua fought the battle at Jericho and brought the wall down, a young, shepard boy named David fought a giant with a sling and a stone, and many more show us how to stand firm and take courage in God. He is with us in the journey ahead.
These examples from the Bible are heroes of faith, but you may have a courageous hero of faith that you know personally. Recall their story of courage to remind yourself how they had courage to fight the good fight before them. A way to do this is regularly meet with other women of faith.
These people saw the situation and chose to act anyway. To preserve in the face of adversity is the key for the people who are successful with being courageous. Courage takes many shapes from fighting to stepping out and being brave.
How do you do Courageous?
Think about your situation, your battle, how are you facing the fears? Where do you go for guidance and direction in your rollercoaster of a journey? How would your family/friends say you handle the battles in your life? What are you most afraid of in this situation?
Prayer-
Father God,
I am facing a huge battle today. Lord, I feel like David today as they place armor on him that was too big, and before he picked up the three smooth stones to defeat Goliath. Yet, I feel a bit out of place and ready to take on this giant. God, I am asking you today to help me be dressed in your armor.
Place the belt of truth around my waist. Remind me of the truths of your Word today. Cover me with the breastplate of Your righteousness, the cover that protects my body in Your Right Way. Allow me to step into the shoes of peace so as I face this battle I will be comforted knowing You are in control. Guard me with the shield of faith that will help me to feign off any fiery darts from the evil one. Upon my head place the helmet of salvation, I know that I am Yours. Remind me of that truth as we face this battle today. In my hand place the sword of Your Spirit, Your Words so that I can use them to fight off any thing that tries to distract me from this fight.
I am strong and courageous, and I do not want to fear. I trust in You today, Lord. The battle is Yours and You have overcome this world.
Amen