The Battle

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Just now while finishing my Morning Write, three handwritten pages every morning, I realized what my fear was about.  Sometimes just knowing who the enemy is, or what tactic it’s using, is helpful.  I realize my fears were around finances specifically and around some larger issues in general.  The specifics don’t matter.  What matters is that I get my mind clear and clean.

So here’s what I know:

Being in a state of sadness or fear is not natural.  So many of us are in these states so often that it seems natural and normal, but it isn’t.  Yes, there can be moments of sadness or fear, but they are not (and I will say this to my dying day) our natural states.

That means my natural states are joy and peace.  My natural state is love, love for God, for others, and for myself. 

But because of the state of the world, because of my own fears, pain, bad habits and mistakes, I sometimes have to fight to get to my natural states.  I am in a battle.  C.S. Lewis says we are on enemy territory.  This whole planet seems like enemy territory sometimes.  So it’s a constant battle.  I’m fighting fear, discouragement, bad habits, lack of self-discipline,  and lack of finances. 

And what am I fighting for?

First, and foremost, I’m fighting for my house on the beach.  That’s my primary goal because it is not only a literal house, but also a representation of all my other goals.

I’m fighting to be in my natural state until I get to that house.

I’m fighting for love.

I’m fighting for the best that God can give me, so I can give Him my best.

I’m fighting so that I can show the world how important it is to Get Started and Keep Going. 

I’m fighting so I can show the importance of perseverance and determination.  

I’m fighting so that fear, sadness, depression or any other unnatural state doesn’t take over my life.

I’m fighting so that I can prove what I believe, that life is a gift from God to be cherished and celebrated.

I’m fighting to show that God really is Love and that He does have a good plan for each of us, even if it’s a plan we have to fight to achieve.

I’m fighting because I can’t imagine life without my Muse.  I love her so much and I love how she has changed my life.  So I’m fighting for her.

I’m fighting to show my children to not abandon their dreams. 

I’m fighting to show my children to have dreams.

I’m fighting because I will never again give into despair.  I will never again surrender.  I will not go back to being helpless and entertained and busy.  I will do what God has created me to do.  There is no Plan B, as Michael Masterson says.

I’m fighting because others are fighting, too, and they need someone at their back, just as I do. 

I’m fighting because the world can be an evil and wicked place and it needs all the goodness and love I can give it.

I’m fighting because the truth is that I’m a warrior.  I may get bruised and bloodied.  I may be wounded, but I will keep getting up and I will keep fighting until I no longer can.

A friend reminded me this morning to put on the whole armor of God. 

Here’s the good news:

There is armor.  It comes complete with a shield, a sword and a helmet.

It comes from God.

It is made to defend us and it helps us to attack.

We are not alone in this battle.  God Himself has provided armor.  God is on our side.

That’s why I’m fighting.  God wants me in this battle.  He wants me to fight, because He knows I am needed

He needs you to fight, too.  You need you to fight.  You are here for a Purpose.  And sometimes you have to fight for it.  But it’s a battle that’s worth fighting and it’s a battle that can be won.