Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Do you struggle with victory? To be honest, I am struggling with it today. There is no victory without battles or conflict, yet, sometimes the battles can be quite overwhelming. Life issues have me in great conflict at present and I am struggling to find victory.
A month ago, I found this cute cap which says, “choose happy”. I ended up buying it for several reasons: it was the right color, it was the right price, and I really liked the reminder, though I wish it said choose joy instead. The message is still there. Victory is a choice. But I have to be honest again, sometimes I get worn out trying. I try to choose joy and victory but the struggle and conflict is still there. I pray, I try, I pray, I try… But therein lies the problem. Do you see it?
1 Corinthians 15:57 – 58 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Yes, joy and victory are a choice, but we gain that victory not through our trying, but through our Lord Jesus Christ. We can’t do it on our own. It is only through Him. He is the One who gives the victory!
In the last few months there have been quite a few battles Tim and I have faced: Tiredness and lack of sleep and sometimes insomnia cause us to be unequipped to face the new day. Living out of a suitcase for the last 4 months instead of the original 3 weeks can be very draining. Not knowing when we will get our RV/home back makes it difficult to plan for the future. Plus, the constant frustration in being told we will get it back then something is delayed or the problem is not solved. We still have no idea when we will get our home back. Our future ministry is still a mystery in many ways. We know somethings God wants us to be doing, but there are still many uncertainties. Then there are the battles with health issues. There has also been much loss among family and friends. The world situation and the conflict of opinions which should be opportunities to demonstrate God’s love instead of dividing people can be very discouraging.
In the midst of all this, victory is still possible! Victory comes in taking God at His Word and claiming His many promises. God never promised a life with Him would be easy. He did, however, promise to be with us and help us. We teach Hebrews 13:5-6 to the children, “I will never leave you nor forsake you, so that you may boldly say, the Lord is my helper…” but we need to be reminded of that truth from time to time.
Victory, like joy, is a choice. I choose to trust God, even though I don’t really feel like it. I choose to be obedient and take Him at His word even when the battle seems so overwhelming. I choose to be thankful when I want to complain. I choose to be content with His plan even when I don’t understand what is going on. I choose to see the many blessings in the midst of battle.
One very great blessing, being able to live with Tim’s folks during this time. We are so grateful to them for opening up their home to us. Furthermore, we both have been working at having a more meaningful quiet time with God each day, claiming His promises and filling our lives with gratitude and thanksgiving so negative feelings and discouragement aren’t allowed to grow. He says our labor in Him is not in vain. Do we believe it? Are we living like we believe it?
This poem I share with you now I wrote while a student at Prairie Bible Institute. Our class motto was Created for Victory (class of 1987). My time at PBI was a very special time, with challenges, difficulties, joys and precious memories, all which helped prepare me for a life of ministry both overseas and at home. I will always be grateful for my years there and the people I met, many of whom I am still in contact with.
Created for Victory
Created for Victory, that’s what I am.
Created for Victory, it’s all in the Lamb.
What is the victory we speak of this day?
Victory is Christ in each and every way.
Defeat wasn’t the purpose in God’s Almighty plan.
Defeat wasn’t meant to be vocabulary of man.
The battle was won for me at the cross.
Christ was victorious, there is no loss.
I won’t live a life of defeat.
When I give to Jesus His rightful seat.
Living in defeat, I deny Christ in me.
Living in defeat is blindness, not really to see.
He doesn’t want the struggles I face each day.
He wants my life totally surrendered to His way.
Created in Eden, the image of His own.
His workmanship, His child, His alone.
Created for Victory to be practiced here today.
To deny myself and let Him live in me HIs way.
I may be a loser to the world while I’m here.
But a winner in God’s eyes, I’m eternal and dear.
Victory is Christ, there’s no other way.
Victory is Christ, am I experiencing Him today?
Created for Victory, that’s what I am.
Created for Victory, by God’s grace I am!
We are created for Victory, therefore, we do not have to live a life of defeat. With Christ working in and through us, we are victorious!
May you live in victory and joy, Mari
