For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.—Ephesians 6:12
This week I have felt a battle like no other… It is draining. Fighting a war is not fun, and I haven’t even fought one “physically.”
I grew up in a pacifist family and community. War was not discussed much. My grandfather was part of Civilian Public Service as a Conscientious Objector and fought fires in Montana instead of joining the war. Joining the army was not something admirable.
While in Israel things changed… I began to understand battle and war in a new way. Hearing from soldiers in the IDF brought new insight. I also had the opportunity to meet US war veterans through an organization called Heroes to Heroes.
War is terrible. Even wars that are necessary in order to bring peace. Yes, I know that is a controversial statement. I realize that many believe war never brings peace. I don’t want to get into any discussion like that in this blog. However, understanding physical wars in a new way brought insight to the spiritual battles we face.
The enemy is out to kill, steal and destroy. We are in a spiritual battle whether we realize it or not. It is draining. It is tiring. It is exhausting.
In a physical war one tries to be a “step ahead” of what the other will do. A spiritual battle is the same. We try to “stay on top” of prayer and praise so that the enemy cannot sneak in. Unfortunately, it happens and then the battle is real.
I was talking with a friend about the hurt I was feeling and experiencing as the battle rages. Her response really made me stop and think. She allowed me to quote this,
“Please keep in mind that the tactics in war are foul. That means to win the war, you don’t play fair you play to Win! Do Not take on that “hurt”, it is a tactic! This is the enemy’s plan. Separate one from the other.”
I want to play fair. I am a middle child and usually a peacemaker. Fighting drains me. What she helped me realize is, that playing fair doesn’t mean I will win. As this began to soak in, I knew that even in spiritual warfare we have to be sneaky. We have to be “on our ‘A’ game” so we can OVERCOME the enemy.
We must recognize who the enemy is, and it isn’t the person, it is satan and his forces of darkness. We don’t give him authority. We claim, in the name of JESUS, that HE has all authority. The battle is really HIS and we have to let HIM fight it. We are LIGHT and LIGHT dispels the darkness.
If I want to WIN this war I must SURRENDER to God and let HIM take over. It doesn’t mean I give up. It doesn’t mean I give in. It simply means that I TRUST Him COMPLETELY to fight for me.
Send the angels Father! Take control because I can’t! The battle may be hot and you might feel the flames, but YOU ARE protected by your Father.
The song that came to my mind this week will be a link below…
We are all facing battles. They are REAL and they are tiring. Take heart, and DON’T take on the hurt. Keep playing to WIN by listening to your Father who has it ALL in HIS hands.
Shabbat Shalom my friends…
Rose Horton
Photo by Tobias Rehbein on Unsplash
Song is by John Michael Talbot “The Battle Belongs to the Lord”
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