Keep on Fighting the Good Fight

Obstructions can be an invitation to fight or a summons to admit failure. Inherent in human nature is the tendency to struggle to pursue what appears unattainable. Struggling against obstacles tests the strength of our character to succeed. Successfully fighting obstacles hinges on resilience and endurance.

 

          Fear and discouragement often converge to defeat faith in oneself and block the pathway to success. Discouragement is to be expected when continuous obstacles challenge the will to reach an objective. Fear and embarrassment of failure can be replaced by determination to fight the good fight of faith and do what is right.

           After Jacob settled in at his uncle Laban’s house, he soon discovered he had met his match in the game of manipulation and deception. He was challenged consistently by his uncle’s attempts to keep him off balance. God had begun His work of redemption in Jacob, so he felt compelled to trust God as if it were his only option. 

Infused with God's Light and Love - Part 3

Taking the path of least resistance for managing hard issues is a natural response, especially whenever choosing to go down the difficult, less traveled path appears hazardous. Succumbing to the most traveled path is appealing; it lets us avoid challenging choices. The Apostle Paul refers to this as the old, lingering, natural, unredeemed self.

Choosing to change may mean choosing a difficult path to follow. Now most people are not opposed to hard work if it’s acceptable and has predictable rewards. Taking the path of least resistance is failing to choose the good that could be done. My father believed in never putting off until tomorrow what could be done today.  

It’s easier to hate someone who has hurt you rather than to pray for God to bless that person. Praying for a person requires a change in attitude. The issue is to struggle, fight the good fight of faith, never give up or give in, while straining toward what pleases God. He will give you courage and strength to do it.  

Faith and Trust to Grow - Part 2

Children need to believe they are special in ways that make them feel unique, but not totally set apart from others. They need recognition and acceptance that confirm they're loved and appreciated. God created us for a significant purpose so our lives would not linger under a cloud of shame and doubt. Shame and doubt's message is that you're flawed and inadequate.

Dominant feelings of shame and doubt are like shackles and chains that bind us to mediocrity and non-productivity. The opposite of shame and doubt is faith. John Wesley's friend, Peter Buhler, told him to "Live by faith until you have faith." Someone else proclaimed, "Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see."

God has put faith in your heart and soul to give you confidence. So focus on that speck of faith rather than the mountain of shame and doubt. Permit yourself to want faith. Believe that God desires to give you faith enough to change. Be willing to fight the good fight of faith. These decisions produce positive change blessed by God.