When The Battle Chooses You Part 2

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

I thought I was done with the write up “When the battle chooses you”, only to realize there is more God wants to reveal regarding this timely theme. So as not to forget what I sensed regarding having a part 2 written out, I looked at hubby and said, “There is still a huge burden on my mind regarding the blog post of yesterday and I am going to get to work on it immediately”. He simply responded by saying “It is ringing in your head because someone, somewhere needs it, get it out!” Those words where enough to get me seated and I began to type instead of attending to whatever plans I had prior to that moment.

Talk about when God decides to disrupt your plans right ? Absolutely! And it is always for His glory and our own good, so we should be fine with it. Although, it took me a week to complete this piece (thanks to unsolicited distractions), I am glad it is finally good to go.

The battle chooses people in various forms and the need to recognize the hand of God amidst all that befalls man enables us to see God in the light of who He really is, rather than what/ who our circumstances say He is.

For a child born blind, lame, with an heart defect and any form of physical birth defect, metabolic birth defect, as well as birth defects caused by environmental factors ( as a result of exposure to chemicals or viruses while a child is still in the womb), genetic problems, etc, it is definitely a case of an innocent one being having to face battles they never asked for.

Sad as all these and so much more may sound, it simply reminds us of the fact that everyone faces battles in life. There is however a different time, season and place for each person’s life battles. None of us is free from the battles that life brings the way of people, we all go through that moment of having to be confronted with what is capable of shaking our faith whether as young or old, rich or poor, believers or unbelievers alike. The beautiful thing however is that the battles we are faced with does not define us, our response to such battles is what defines us.

I met a truly amazing girl in College sometimes ago. She had down syndrome, which required her mum coming to class with her to help her with her daily activities at school. As a result of my background and culture( West Africa), I perceived her to be someone that needed my pity and that of others. To my greatest surprise however, she proved me wrong by been such a strong, encouraging, and courageous girl who eventually became a source of motivation for me as well as others due to her warm smile and hugs that lit up whatever space she stepped into.

My memories of her goes beyond her beautiful smile and hug and extends to how despite her “perceived physical disability”, she had written and published more than 2 books as at that time and when she gave me her newly published book, she said to me ” Merry Christmas Temi, I want you to have this because I love you.” Those words never left me and it is one of the reasons I keep missing this adorable cute friend of mine.

Talking about what we consider to be limitations as a result of the battles that choose us in life, like I earlier said,” the battles we are faced with does not define us, our response to such battles is what defines us.” This amazing friend of mine that I talked about could have looked at herself as “cheated by God” battle and focus on the desired victory instead. The victory is however not such that we can get on our own, it requires us acknowledging our frail nature, limitations and fallibility as humans, hence our need for God.

The battles that choose us will try to make us see ourselves as defeated but then the truth is although our life here on earth is just but for a moment, after which we have the whole of eternity to reign with our Maker, we are more than conquerors while we are here, and we will eventually see how that ” Life here on earth is just an introduction into our life with Christ eternally.”

Regardless of the battle that chooses you therefore, focus on the One who is able to see you through it all, knowing fully well that your decision to get angry with God, so much you see Him as the problem or the cause of your problem, or your decision to do away with God does not change the fact that you still have a problem. Let Him help you through it all because whatever He permits will eventually work for your good and His glory. He sure knows what He is doing. Through it all, keep your eyes on Him, not the battle.

FURTHER READING:

( Exodus 14:14, 2 Chronicles 20:17, Proverbs 21:31, Romans 8:28)