Around every corner, there is another battle just waiting to happen. The storms of life, the challenges from family and job, the affront of evil and Satan – it seems like we are facing battles every time we take a step toward God.
Some days are tougher than others, and with the various challenges each of us face, we sometimes need the comfort that comes from simply sharing our battles, wins, and defeats, with others who can help.
I suspect the primary thing we need to realize is that we are not in this alone. Nor, is every challenge we face something new. Sometimes they come along slowly, and many other times they shock us with their suddenness.
I returned and saw under the sun that—
The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all.
For man also does not know his time:
Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare,
So the sons of men are snared in an evil time,
When it falls suddenly upon them.
(Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 NKJV)
I want to experience the victory in all that I do, how about you? But I don’t want to face the challenge alone. It takes more than just me to win. It takes “us”.
Here’s My Thought Today
What does the Bible say about experiencing victory in our daily walk? What principles must we apply to our lives daily to accomplish victory at all times? God always causes us to triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
When situations/circumstances look bad to us, we must remember that God is never surprised by our predicament. God is working on our behalf, but not necessarily if we rush to the fight. I have innumerable support for this thought! But think it through with this one single scripture.
For since the beginning of the world
Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,
Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,
Who acts for the one who waits for Him.
(Isaiah 64:4 NKJV)
He acts for the one who waits for him! Tarries and adhere’s to Him!
Can you get this? We learn this from the example of reality, but also through our access of His Word! God’s Word is constantly working behind the scenes on our behalf.
For Believers, victory over struggles is assured. Maybe not immediately, but the long-range plan of God is for eternity! Can we not simply position ourselves into a patient position and prepare ourselves for Victory Today, Tomorrow, and Forever?
However, in order to overcome trials, the Word of God must be stored in our hearts.
We Need the Word of God in Our Heart
Do you agree? What did Solomon write? His focus covered just about any aspect of personality you can imagine!
The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all.
Those who win are those who know what to do in battle (i.e. Soldier). We do not win because we are faster, stronger, wiser, more skillful or full of understanding. Our win happens because of the life we breathe! Where do we learn this life? From the Word!
We must store the Word in our hearts, so we will be prepared during trials.
Look at what the Word has to say about trials!
- Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers us out of them all. (Psalms 34:19)
- Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV)
- But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)
Paul says we are given victory, not by might, nor by power… But by our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of this victory, we need to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Our labor in the Lord is not in vain; it is not wasted. You have the victory in Christ Jesus.
How do I experience the Victory?
Firstly, you need to change your mindset! Would you not rather change now, or rehash why you fail to experience victory after the battle is finished. I read this recently,
“You can either perform a surgery now
or conduct an autopsy later.”
~Tyler Walea
While going through trials, the Logos (Word) in our hearts will always be tested. Why? Jeremiah said our heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), and out of the abundance of the heart our mouth speaks. Good. Evil.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
(Luke 6:45 NKJV)
Be aware of the following thought: “The attack is from the devil, not from God. The battle is in the mind (we win or lose in the mind).” But still, we have the Word and daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit releases God’s strength and might in battle. We are equipped by how we commit ourselves to grow who we are!
The Holy Spirit can only give us the ability to pass the test based on what we have on the inside of us. The Holy Spirit can only bring to our remembrance, the things we have studied from the Word.
We Have What It Takes
Yes. We have access to what we require to be victorious. Yet, we are often our own worst enemy! Have you ever thought your trial is a result of God being angry with you?
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened to you;
but rejoice to the extent that you partake [share in] of Christ’s sufferings,
that when His glory is revealed,
you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 4: 12-13 (NKJV)
Trials do not necessarily come because we have missed the mark. When we become discouraged, fearful, doubtful, etc., we succumb to defeat. In fact, I keep these thought nuggets handy to remind myself of these truths!
- Keep a positive attitude, despite what we are going through.
- Know our Lord is strong and mighty in battle. (Psalms 24:8)
- Remind yourself God loves you.
We have already overcome and we will win over this world! (VICTORY)
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 John 5:4 (NKJV)
What victory overcame the world? The trial? The battle? Even the war? Faith. It’s simple. We all have it. Jesus describes it beginning as the size of a mustard seed!
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
(Matthew 17:20 NKJV)
Have the Mindset of a Winner
Adam was created to win, conquer, prevail, and overcome. We join Adam in our understanding of our place but need to expand our horizon. We were placed on this Earth to have dominion and authority. However, you cannot simply believe it, you must live it.
It’s like running the race of life.
You never win unless you prepare for the end!
We must run to win the prize God has set before us. Man did not know about losing until the presence of God left him. When we succumb to sin, fear, unbelief, worry, doubt, shame, and other negative emotions, we short-circuit our success.
Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith.
Don’t drift along taking everything for granted.
Give yourselves regular checkups.
You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you.
Test it out.
If you fail the test, do something about it.
I hope the test won’t show that we have failed.
But if it comes to that, we’d rather the test showed our failure than yours.
We’re rooting for the truth to win out in you.
We couldn’t possibly do otherwise.
We don’t just put up with our limitations; we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you.
We pray hard that it will all come together in your lives.
2 Corinthians 13:5-9 (MSG)
Today, we can experience Victory!
Begin the change today. Do not put it off for a “better” time. That will never happen! A friend of mine described his weight loss like this.
I stepped on the scales and realized I weighed more than I should.
Though I felt good about myself, my image said something different.
Since I made the mistakes that got me to where I was…
…now I am in control to get me to where I should be.
Whoa! Is it that simple? Maybe. But the key revolves around you and the choices you make! Your willpower. Focus. Attitude. And a whole dictionary of other words that makes you know you can experience victory!
- Change your mindset! Dwell on God things, not your problems.
- Study and meditate on the Word of God to deposit it into your heart. Build yourself up in the Word of God.
- Count it joy when you go through the test and trial. That means you are being prepared for something awesome God has for you to do.
Make up in your mind you are a winner. Be determined that nothing will separate you from your victory. It can be tough and scary, but when you know you are a winner then you can take hope in the results.
Make the king a winner, GOD; the day we call, give us your answer.
Psalms 20:9 (MSG)
Get ready, prepare for the tests to come. You are an overcomer! When you look back you will see that you have experienced victory all the time. Today, you enter the start of your life to be victorious. Let’s travel this road together!