Battle Ground

  If you've lived much of life, you've probably come to realize that there are just some things that are out of our control.  And what I can tell you is that the longer I live, the more I realize just how little I actually have control over.  I've learned that I can't control what circumstances will happen in my day.  I also cannot control how the people around me choose to behave, no matter how much I would like to.  Now, I'm aware that there are things we can do to try to direct things, and I am not denying that.  I can control where I choose to go and who I choose to spend my time with, and I can in some way control how people behave by how I treat them or speak to them.  I'm not arguing against the power in that.  But what I am saying is that in most of life, we as humans are not at the helm.  And in some cases that is good for us to understand.  We can take some pressure off of ourselves.
  But with some things in life, not being in control can leave us feeling powerless, defeated, and frustrated.  When it comes to a tragic loss, or a loved one suffering from mental illness, or a government that seems divided, in many ways it can be debilitating to realize we don't have control over those situations.  After all, we've been trained to always be moving forward.  And it is good to have goals and progress towards them.  But sometimes in life, we don't need to move on.  We simply need to hang on.
  The book of 2 Chronicles records the story of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 20:1-30)  He was an Israelite king, and he was faced with a situation that was completely out of his control.  A large army had him surrounded and was throwing out murderous threats.  It seemed there was no way out but death.  Jehoshaphat called the citizens of the city together, and he prayed this prayer.  "We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."  It was clear that all he could do was to pray and hang on.  In response, this is the word the Lord gave to him.  "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God's[…]You will not have to fight this battle.  Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you."
  There are many times in life where we face a battle that we must fight to win.  Perhaps it is with changing our habits, overcoming an addiction, or becoming more of what we know we should be.  But there are also those circumstances in life where we can do nothing, and where we don't know what to do.  It is during those moments when we need only to cry out to God and stand firm in Him.  You see, some battles were never ours to fight.  Some things are out of our control, and that's a good thing, because there is a God who does have control and who can bring about victory if we are simply willing to stand.
  If you are facing an uncontrollable battle today, take courage my friend.  That battle is the Lord's.  You don't need to be the hero.  You simply need to hold on.  Stand tall  and know that deliverance is on the way.  I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.W.