Keep Fighting

I grew up watching WWF wrestling.  Jake the Snake, Andre the Giant, and Hulk Hogan to name a few.  My favorite matches were the tag team matches.  One of the guys is losing.  He has been taken down and beaten up.  He fights his way to the corner and tags his teammate standing just outside of the ring.  The teammate doesn't just meander casually into the ring.  No, he makes an entrance.  He comes flying off the ropes, knocking the opponent to the mat, changing the fight's momentum.  Sometimes the teammate would not even wait to be tagged.  They would jump in and start fighting.  

I feel there are some lessons to be learned from this.  First, we have to recognize that we are all fighting something.  None of us get to sit on the sidelines.  It could be an addiction, relationship trouble, financial or a myriad of other fights that we are facing.  Even if we try to ignore it the fight keeps coming at us. When you recognize that we are all fighting it does two things.  First, it lets you know that it is normal and you are not the only one experiencing it. Sometimes just having that information can give you a boost of energy to keep fighting.  The second thing it does is it gives you empathy.  Everyone's fight is different but when you realize that we all have one it gives you common ground.  The fight is different, but the enemy is the same.  "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).  

So how do we fight this enemy?   We do it together. 1 Thessalonians 5 tells us "11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing . . . 12 Live in peace with each other . . . help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else."

Some of you are beaten down.  You have been fighting alone.  It is time to reach out and ask for help.  Some of you fought hard to get here, to the corner.  You have reached out and are hoping someone will tag you and come flying in to help.  God is on your side.  He will not leave you to do this on your own.  Others of you have been standing in the corner unaware of the fight.  You have been just standing there watching.  This arena has no ringside seats.  It is time for you to tag in and get into the fight with someone.  

Let me wrap this up with Paul's words on how to fight this enemy; "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6: 10-18).

As always, thank you for reading.  Make sure to share, comment, and subscribe.