Fighting

My husband and I were talking about "fighting". No, not each other; but the one where we have had to stand together and fight. We both have posed this question to the Lord, "Do we have to fight for everything?" We both understand that there is blessings and testimonies to Christ in our trials. But come on! So we developed this list of almost everything we have had to fight for:
1. Getting married
2. Becoming parents
3. Amber
4. Family (Pregnancies)
5. Managing our household finacially
6. Fair treatment in workforce
7. Employment
8. Army
9. Friendships
10. Anything we have believed God for and set our hearts after (within God's will)

Now, we know " we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere" (Eph 6:12 Amplified). So we try our best to keep our eyes on our Savior because alot of times, including now, we cannot see our own way out of the messes.

Please don't get me wrong. I am in no way EXcusing our own sins and mistakes we have made along the way. I do understand there are consequences that follow. But, I also know that we have a loving God who has us in His Will, His Plan and His Purpose. He has this extensive grace that when we think cannot be stretched any further, it continues to go on and on and on! I am reminded of what Paul said in Romans 5: 21 "So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Joseph and I have become even closer as husband and wife, partners with Christ in this world.

When will we have a break? I mean boxers take a 15 second break, right? When will we be able to breathe without choking? I sometimes look at some of our friends (knowing that they too are not perfect or having things going their way all the time) and think: "How did they get it so good?" Or sometimes just comparing struggles (sad, I know) But, again, I am reminded "... The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned..." (Ecclesiates 9:11)

What keeps us in the ring fighting, continuously being battered and bruised? Well, for one, we have come to learn that, ultimately, it is NOT ABOUT US. God has a plan and a purpose outside of us! Even, though it can be terribly difficult we do have this assurance from Him that He will never leave nor forsake us, and that the LORD has plans for us and they are good plans, plans not for disaster, but to give us a hope and future. (jer 29:11) furthermore, as we are learning to lose ourselves for the Cause of this Christ we serve we are learning to consider our lives worth nothing to us so that we may finish this race and the tasks that the Lord Jesus has given to us- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. (Acts 20:24)

We will continue to fight this Good Fight! The fight our lives, right Kirk? Just kidding baby! But for real, we will finish this fight STRONG and it will not be in vain! We will continue to keep the faith as Paul encouraged Timothy. We look forward to seeing the WHOLE PICTURE when that GREAT Day comes! It will all be worth it!!!

Be encouraged with this! " until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom." Daniel 7:22