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Times of conflict and dispute, especially amongst loved ones, are difficult to bear in our fickle flesh. We get tangled in our emotions between wanting to wallow silently in guilt for our portion of wrongdoing and the urge to cast blame on others, showcasing any and all wrongdoings of theirs we can recall. Learning to hold our tongue when we are feeling attacked in order to defend our honor can be a hard task to master. But God, being the loving Father that he is, has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit to be with us during these moments of distress to comfort us and guide us. We are never alone, even in our deepest despair.

Live worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Holding our tongue and speaking with love instead takes a conscious effort through the power of the Spirit. It was never intended for us to fight our battles on our own or by our own strength. It’s no mystery to any of us that living in this flesh is a daily battle of some sort, whether due to declining health or wavering emotions. Despite any battles we are currently losing or have already lost, Jesus wants to be our strength for us. “Be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.” (Ephesians 6:10) This is wonderful news because it allows us to humble ourselves before the Lord and tell him “I can’t, but I know you can.” These battles we face are ongoing for us, but through and for Jesus, are already finished. All glory given to Him who has already won the victory for us!

We have to preach the Gospel to ourselves daily. This will remind us that it’s not about us. The Gospel, this world, the breath in our lungs, it is all for and about the glory of God. This daily truth will help shed the weight we carry of trying to constantly prove ourselves to others. When it’s all for the sake of the Gospel and God’s glory, we can live each day in delight of Him, even when our hearts are filled with worldly sorrow, because we can look to Jesus who we know holds the victory of Heaven for us. We surely won’t have all of the answers as we stumble from one age bracket to the next, but we can live confidently knowing it’s not about us, it’s all for Jesus.

So let us fight our battles by using “the sword of the Spirit – which is the word of God. Pray[ing] at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request…to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” (Ephesians 6:17-19)

~Shawnee