3 Ways To Fight Your Battles

It may look like your surrounded right now with life closing in on you. So what do you do? How do you fight your battles?

You might have been surprised by a battle you didn’t expect to happen. Maybe it wasn’t yours but it became yours. I’m here to tell you that the battle is not yours but God’s. Sometimes we know exactly what to do and everything works out. 

But, there are times where the battle is so much bigger than we are. Where we don’t know what to say or do and we feel surrounded. We feel trapped like the walls are closing in on us. It’s precisely in those moments where God wants us to FOCUS on Him. 

I’ll tell you what the Lord keeps telling me right now. We don’t fight with flesh and blood. We fight the forces of darkness and wickedness (see Ephesians 6:12). Your spouse is not the enemy. Your boss is not your enemy. That political party is not your enemy. That person that made you mad is not the enemy.

I’ve been through some really tough times in my life as I’m sure you have. In some of my family’s darkest times, my Mom, Patti said: “we’re going to do what King Jehoshaphat did and praise God in the midst of our storm.” She wanted us to praise God for the victory that would have.

My Mom showed me by example how to praise God in the midst of life’s storms. It didn’t matter if all hell was breaking loose around us. She said when you’re going through hell on earth, you praise even more. 

My family is facing some storms right now and it hasn’t been easy. My Mom first showed me this song that I can’t get out of my head. It’s like the Lord is reminding this is how you fight your battles. The song is called Surrounded (Fight My Battles) by Michael W. Smith. 

After listening to this song, I came across a story this morning and wouldn’t you know, it was about King Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles 20 talks about how there were armies marching and closing in on King Jehoshaphat and God’s people. 

It says that Jehoshaphat was terrified and didn’t know what to do. Have you ever felt that way before? Maybe you don’t right now but remember this story when it happens to you. 

What did Jehoshaphat do in his moment of distress and need? He sought God. What did God do? 2 Chronicles 20:15 says, “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

Who or what do you turn to in your time of need? Is it a bottle, is it a drug or smoke, is it attention, is it spending money, is it sex, is it yourself? You will find temporary fixes but that’s just it, they are temporary and won’t last. They won’t give you the answers that you need. They won’t satisfy as only the Lord can. 

Only God can bring permanent peace to your broken and shattered heart. Only He can bring love, joy, and acceptance that you desperately desire. Only He is Jehovah Rapha and Jehovah Jireh, our healer and provider. Only God is our defender and protector against the enemy.

God went on to say this to King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:17: “But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

Maybe that’s what God is saying to you right now. You’ve either done everything you can, you don’t know what to do, or you already made of mess of things. And He’s saying don’t worry, the battle is mine to take care of. I’ve got this so quit stressin’, I’ll show you what to do when it’s time.

All the people of Judah and Jerusalem did what God asked and went out to face the armies. This is what they did…

They appointed singers to walk ahead of their army and say “Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!” What happened when they took that step of faith and did what the Lord asked? In 2 Chronicles 20:22 it says, “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.” 

Do you understand what happened?! God’s people didn’t have to lift a finger to fight forcefully. They put on the garment of praise so to speak and started praising God instead. And He fought the battle and won for them so they wouldn’t have to.

We learn 3 ways to fight our battles from this story.

1. Stop focusing on the problem, focus on God.
2. Praise God for who He is and for what He will do.
3. Do what He asks of you in faith.

If you do these three things, God will turn EVERY situation that was meant to harm you into something good (see Romans 8:28). He will bring you victory in every battle you face.

“It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Zechariah 4:6

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20

A Prayer For You

Lord Jesus, I don’t know what to do right now. I need Your help, I need Your guidance. Show me how to fight my battles in the right way and time. I don’t want to force things and make matters worse. I trust You that You will protect me and defend me. You are my provider and healer. I give You all the praise and honor for who You are and for what You’re going to do. In Jesus’ name amen.

Stay hopeful!