It seems I have this mistaken notion that life should be easy. Somewhere along the line I began believing this journey with God should be easy as long as one is believing.
Perhaps this is one of the biggest lies the enemy feeds us, unless it is just me, in order to discourage us. It is the lie He revealed and shattered as I read these words:
“Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you confessed so well before witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12, NLT)
That word, ‘fight’, means: “to fight in a contest; to engage in a dreadful battle or strenuous endeavor. It envisions combatants pitted against one another for victory. It is a heroic struggle.” (taken from the New Testament Lexical Aids)
Perhaps this is the issue. Maybe we are not feeling much like “heroes”.
As I read this verse over the last few days – and in several different versions – I noticed the fight is with faith. In that verse, there is nothing which indicates the fight takes place only with people or situations.
One might have called this a light bulb moment. But my eyes became open, wide opened, that perhaps we are never more heroic than when we are battling for our faith.
Can it be that the struggles with circumstances and people which challenge us are components in a greater battle than first meets our eyes?
Perhaps the greatest battles we ever will face in our lives concern our faith. Perhaps it is when we are tempted to think that God’s Word works for everyone else but us. Or maybe, it is the battle to believe He will keep His promises to us. It may even be the battle to believe He won’t let us down.
The New Testament Lexical Aids go on to explain, “To ‘take hold of the eternal life which you were called’ would then be analogous to fulfilling one’s commission.” This fight of faith and taking hold is all a part of each one of us fulfilling our purposes here. The fight is bigger than we even imagined. John Piper puts it this way, “It is a lifelong battle again unbelief.”
No matter – it comes down to this…
We must fight the good fight for the truth faith.
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and True Story and RaRa Linkup and Life Giving and Intentional Tuesday .
Oh, what perfect words to describe faith – a heroic struggle. I never expected the struggle, either – thought it would be enough to believe, that the initial high would be enough to carry me through. But it’s in the struggle that our faith is truly formed, forged out of the fires of our trials.
It’s amazing when we come to realize how it truly is a heroic struggle for each one of us. But then, this is what makes our faith so precious.
Yes, we are not promised an easy life. One of my favorite passages…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33
But fight the good fight!
And we do not fight alone. He has equipped us with His Spirit & others who come alongside of us. We can overcome!
Guess who is your neighbor at Testimony Tuesday?? So glad I am! I was just having this discussion with The Sweetheart on Sunday…we are NOT promised a bed of roses walking with the Savior, we ARE promised He will be there no matter what. Love what you said about the fight of faith, I had never really looked at it that way either but will be thinking on it all day ♥
Nannette, it really is a struggle for faith. I loved how the quote put it, “a heroic struggle”. So grateful He has not left us on our own to fight. Blessings!
I agree with you! Our biggest battles involve doubts about our faith. Maybe this is because if we are not confident in our faith, all other areas of our lives are shaken. Good post! I can relate. – reading from the intentional Tuesday link!
Kristen, you make such a wonderful point. All other areas of our lives are shaken if our faith shakes first. May we stand strong today!
Joanne, we share the same word of this year … believe. Sometimes believing is the biggest fight of our faith. Words I will be pondering.
Thank you for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday
I am so glad to have found someone who shares the same word. It is an amazing journey, this journey to believe. So glad to have joined you! Blessings.
Joyce Meyer says the biggest battle is in our mind. The enemy places thoughts and lies there and we think they are our own. Keep vigilant for our enemy is slippery and when he contradicts God’s Word, we can recognize where those thoughts come from. Singing and also muttering precious scriptures help replace those doubtful thoughts. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
Hazel, you are right – we must be proactive in this battle & to counterattack the lies of the enemy. Great point!
Fight the good fight for faith-yes to the truth and new understanding behind these words. I always claim that I want to fulfill my purpose-God’s purpose for me but I need to persevere as well as fight when the going gets tough. Love these words today, Joanne! Have a blessed rest of the week.
So glad you shared, Mary. Yes, today & every day, may we be tough & fight! Enjoy your weekend. I think spring may have arrived 🙂
Agreed! Great words. Great point. It always comes down to faith. I cheer your insights here from the #RaRalinkup. Thank you for speaking to my heart.
Grateful for the encouragement & to join you. Thank you for having us all join you!