The Most Important Lesson I Learned in the Hard Times

In the most difficult times in my life, I learned the most important lesson of my life: I am too weak to do life without God.

The Problem

We have a problem in the United States. Actually this problem is likely found throughout the developed countries. It’s called self-sufficiency and pride. 

We pride ourselves on handling things on our own. Being strong enough to carry the weight of the tasks we’re given.

Work hard enough. Practice something enough. Gain enough knowledge.  “Buck up” enough. And we can overcome any obstacle; we can deal with anything that comes our way; we can win any battle.

Trying our best is good. But some battles aren’t ours to win. Some problems aren’t ours to solve. Some mountains aren’t ours to climb. Some answers aren’t ours to know.

Because none of the ugliness and difficulties we battle originate in the tangible. The ultimate war rages spiritually and is not one we can win in our own strength. 

The ultimate war rages spiritually and is not one we can win in our own strength. Share on X

In a Spiritual War

I’m not sure exactly when spiritual warfare began (whenever it was that Lucifer decided to play God, I guess), but we first see it manifested in humans in the Garden of Eden, when Eve gave into temptation to be like God.

We see it in the anger and jealously of Cain, which led to the first recorded murder.

We see it in the hatred of King Saul and the adultery of King David.

We see it in the suffering of Job and the lust of Samson and the idolatry of King Solomon.

We see it in the obstinacy of the Israelites.

We see it in Judah’s betrayal, Peter’s denial, and the people’s ultimate rejection and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

We continue to see it today in the culture’s rejection of God’s truth, in jealousy in the workplace, in the high divorce rate, in the unrest and fighting around the world, in hate rhetoric and character assassinations, in the plethora of ads for “must-haves,” in the debt many Americans face, in the increased negative behaviors of children in school, in new illnesses showing up and the old ones we still battle. 

These things we face are not our enemies; but the result of the enemy’s work.

We’re not battling what we think we are. The real enemy is not something we can see, touch, hear, smell, or feel (well maybe on occasion). The real enemy is the evil one, Satan himself, and all the tactics he throws at us.

And not one of us, no matter how much we practice or prepare can defeat him on our own. We will never be strong enough to stand against his assaults, no matter how they manifest themselves.

I know, I’ve tried. You can read about a couple instances here and here. And it doesn’t work!

We Are Too Weak

The real war originates much deeper than our surface battles depict. It began before God breathed humans into existence and will continue until Christ’s return.

Our flesh stands no chance against this type of spiritual warfare. We are too weak.

Yet there is good news. We have the Victor standing with us and battling for us. Yet we have to let Him!

I’ve learned many lessons from my attempt to stand on my own through various trials. But the most important is that I need help and only God’s help will do.

Let me state this clearly: We can’t stand against the devil in our own strength. We can’t win the war on our own, because it’s not ours to fight alone.

We can’t do life without God and live in abundance and freedom.

We can't do life without God and live in abundance and freedom. Share on X

The first and most important realization has to be that we need God’s help. 

The Victor

So trust me when I say you are too weak for this war. Listen when I beg you to lay down your armor and pick up God’s.

Self-sufficiency is a lie. Pride goes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18). Take off your masked pretense of strength and put on the real thing. Let God be your strength. Let Him fight your battles and win the war.

It’s the only way to find wholeness in a broken world. It’s the only way to defeat a foe you cannot see. It’s the only way to receive all God has for us in this life and the next.

Follow Him where He leads. You will get dusty dirty feet on the road, but in Him you will always find safe shelter.

In Him, you are already the victor.

Let God be your strength. Let Him fight your battles and win the war. In Him, you are already the victor. Share on X

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. ¹² For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. (Ephesians 6:10-12 HCSB)

Reflections: In what situation(s) do you struggle with exchanging your strength for God’s? 

I am always thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “dirty dusty feet.” Click on the image to check out the wonderful encouragment.