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
In our lives there are times of deep distress. As destruction piles up around us and hopelessness closes in, we are faced with the choice to give up or to look up.
Recently, at a men’s conference, one of the pastors speaking suggested we put a “but” in between our devastation and the rest of our story. “This is a bad situation, but God is for me, so what He has next is going to be awesome.” In this moment we are often downtrodden, but we should be encouraged as we remember earlier trials God has brought us through and that ultimately, the battle is His.
For the battle is not yours, but God’s. – 2 Chronicles 20:15c
Looking forward with anticipation, not expectation, is the best strategy I have found in the heat of today’s battle. As the battle rages, show up, be present and be excited to see what God can do with your “but.”
Real men know that God will come through.
