Fighting a losing battle

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 13, 14, 15 (NIV)

2 Chronicles 14:11 (NIV)
11 Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.”

Good morning!

Do you ever feel like the life you are living is “under control?” It is a strange moment when all things come together and work the way you envision them. I don’t think I’ve ever had that happen in my forty-eight years on earth, even though I’ve certainly tried to make it that way. I learned a long time ago that things can change in a breath; a blink; and in a shed tear; life as we know it can disappear in one fleeting moment. People seem to swing from seasons of plenty into seasons of need. Life can be moving along just fine when suddenly, the bottom seems to drop out of your barrel. Someone you love becomes ill. Your child begins a season of rebelliousness and disobedience. One day you have a job and the next day, you are handed a pink slip. We try to plan for the inevitable – the things that shake our foundation. We work hard, save our money, and try to set a good example for our children to follow. When things fall apart, where do you go for an added measure of strength? Whom do you turn to when you see the battle raging in front of you and realize just how ill equipped you are to fight?

I heard a gentleman share his story of faith last weekend at church. George had been through a lot in his life. He grew up in a home where he was taught that hard work and effort would help him achieve the kind of life he desired. A brilliant student, George excelled in school. He graduated with honors, and began working his way up the corporate ladder of life. George fell in love and married Rose. She was one in a million, and they were very happy. George and Rose had a family together. He bought a fine home for his wife and children to enjoy, several really nice cars to drive, and it seemed as if everything George touched turned to gold. With all he had acquired, George was not happy inside; something was definitely missing. Have you wondered how someone who appears to have everything on the outside can be so empty on the inside? Have you ever felt like George?

He entered into a deep and dark depression, a battle George did not know how to win. His illness cost him everything. George lost his job; he lost the love and respect of his wife. His children hated him for what he had become. George woke up one morning in the back seat of the only car he had left. George was bankrupt. He had lost his family, his job, and the will to live.

George was contemplating suicide when someone reached out to help. A long-time friend invited George to meet his pastor and seek some help. Through counseling and prayer, George gave his life to Jesus Christ. He relinquished control, recognizing for the first time, that it wasn’t his to possess in the first place. Sometime, it takes the experience of fighting a losing battle for us to stop, take a breath and look up. When Asa found that he was fighting a losing battle against the great Ethiopian warrior, he cried out to God and said, “I am powerless without you. I need your help now!” When Asa recognized his lack of control and trusted God completely for help, the mountain moved. When George gave his life to Jesus, he found a peace that could not be purchased through the riches of this world. His depression slowly lifted. George and Rose were able to deal with the tough stuff in their marriage, and their family was reunited after a season of darkness and grief. George had learned how to let go of the controls, and let God take charge.

Are you ready to trust the Lord completely? Are you fighting a losing battle today? Jesus is waiting for you to look up. If you seek Him, the Lord will find you. Surrender your heart to Him and experience abundant living that only comes through Christ.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: recognition to stop fighting a losing battle. Your Heavenly Father created you with a plan and purpose. He loves you more than you will ever know. Won’t you reach out to Jesus today, and let Him fight the impossible for you. He will your bridge home. With Christ, all things are possible.
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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
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