BATTLE OF THE WILL by colleen swindoll thompson
Article Photo: Marek Piwnicki on unsplash.com
W
hat battles are you fighting today? Even today my complaint is bitter; I’m not referring to those we read or [God’s] hand is heavy in spite of my hear about in the news. I mean the wars that groaning. rage inside you—which ones are you fightIf only I knew where to find him... ing today? Here are some of mine: holding I would state my case before him on to resentment, allowing frustration to and fill my mouth with arguments. overwhelm me, wishing for something (Job 23:2–4 NIV) easier, wondering why trials continue, and Job’s pain was so awful; his view, so human. missing my personal freedoms. I don’t know how long Job had to fight this Painful or pressing conditions quickly battle, but somewhere between these verses reveal our internal battles. These struggles and what follows in verse 10, Job found peace: are not usually between what is good or bad, “But he knows the way that I take; / when he right or wrong, but between has tested me, I will come Painful or pressing our desires and God’s will. forth as gold” (23:10). conditions quickly As hard as it is to admit, the Would you like to find battles that rage within are peace and “come forth reveal our internal often caused by our willful- battles. These struggles as gold”? If so, when your ness. What God has allowed battles rage, take these are not usually for us often conflicts with encouragements to heart: between what is good 1. Examine your soul by our heart’s desire. So, let me ask you again: or bad, right or wrong, truthfully naming your What battle are you facing battle but between our today? Are you envious of 2. Express your battles desires and God’s will. continually to God another’s roomy schedule, jealous of someone’s financial success, or 3. Surrender your will to God’s faithful and afraid of being misunderstood or judged? sovereign will for your life Whatever conflict you face, choose to believe As I have examined my soul and expressed that Christ is sovereign and good and faithful, my frustrations and resentments, God has despite your circumstances. It’s not an easy filled me with His peace and His strength to choice because it involves the resignation of accept His direction throughout life. your will, but it’s the choice of faith because it says: “I believe God’s plan for my life is perfect Copyright © 2010 by Insight for Living Ministries. All rights reserved worldwide. and right, though the sorrow remains.” Job was candid with his own painful war of the will. Listen and you can hear the battle rage in his life,
