Biblical Principles within Battles

Church has been very healing lately. This series on "The Battle" will be going on until January or so. It will be a good reminder of God as I battle through so many hard emotions and memories the next couple months. This Sunday we went through 4 principles that we should hold onto when facing any battle in our lives.

1. Hold onto a biblical perspective of your battles.
Jesus said that in this world there would be troubles, we will have to face them. Make sure you remember that prayer and faith does not mean you will not have trouble.

"Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" 

2 Timothy 3:12

"Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, 

as if  something stranger were happening to you."

1 Peter 4:12

2.We need to hold on to God's purposes for our battles

• maturity 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 

because you know that the testing of your face produces perseverance. 

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

James 1:2-4 

• ministry

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, 

so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

For just as we share abundantly inn the sufferings of Christ, 

so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 

If we are distressed it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in your patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you 

share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort."

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

(To the ladies currently dealing with TTC struggles or those who have fought and won...

this is for you, because without you I would be lost. I thank God that you are in my life!)

• eternity

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, 

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

3. We need to hold onto a proper response to the battles we face. 

This point brought tears to my face instantly. I had just read in The Power of a Praying Woman about making sure you are using the fruits of the Spirit. Joy obviously is one of them, and it was a tough one to admit...I haven't been joyful! And then Pastor D said, "Choose Joy!" in the midst of our battles we must choose joy, because we know that God is for us. He has not forgotten about us, in the end things will work out. So though it is hard (and I have a hard time practicing this...) we need to choose joy, thankfulness, 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, 

who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

"If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Romans 8:31

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;perplexed, but not in despair; 

persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,

You will restore my life again;

From the depths of the Earth you will again bring me up.

Psalms 71:20

4. We need to hold onto the promises of God in our battles.

These promises are assurances that God gives us so we can walk by faith in midst of battle until His purpose comes to pass.

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

Psalm 119:50

They also passed out little crosses as a reminder, along with cards with 5 promises from God.

1. God is always with me (I will not fear)
2. God is always in control (I will not doubt)
3. God is always good
4. God is always watching (I will not falter)
5. God is always victorious (I will not fail)

On the back of the card Pastor D had as write what our battle of the moment is on the back so we could look at the card and remember God's promises pertaining our battles. What did I write? Infertility. Bitterness. My husband? Infertility. Anger. We both have issues, but God will see us through.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. 

God bless!

♥ Jess