Face Your Battles Without Fear: Part One
Have you ever had someone silence you when you mention your health issues? They say, "Don't speak that!" as if voicing your battle gives it more power. Referring to your health issues does not make them worse. Refusing to refer to them does not make them go away. Refraining from speaking about your health challenges does one thing; it relieves the discomfort of those who are uncomfortable hearing about them.
Why would someone be quick to speak and slow to listen?
They might fear that if they hear your about struggles, they will have to help or offer support.
They might have experienced previous health issues and do not want to remember that difficult season.
They may hold an unbiblical viewpoint about suffering.
Do not allow someone to rope you into their bondage by telling you not to name your enemy. They may fear hearing about the battle that you face. Do not allow their fears to bind you into silence. You may have a battle ahead of you, but you do not fight alone.
Scripture tells us how to fight our battles!
"Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, 'a vast army is coming against you from Edom...'" (2 Chronicles 20:2).
Where were you when you were told that a vast army was coming against you? Were you in the hospital when you learned about your cancer? Were you at home when you learned of a loved one's illness? A vast army marching against you is enough to cause anyone to tremble with fear.
What did King Jehoshaphat do when he was afraid?
"Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and proclaimed a fast for all of Judah" (2 Chronicles 20:3).
Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, was determined to pray and seek the Lord when he knew that a vast army was on their way to attack. Can you relate to his prayer?
"...we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us... For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you" (2 Chronicles 20:9,12, emphasis mine).
What did you do when you learned that you had a battle to wage? The world tells us to immediately look to the Internet for answers. We want to know about all of the treatments that can fight against illness. We want to find support to help our loved ones. But God's Word teaches us that the first step when facing a battle is to look to the Lord. Jehoshaphat did just that; he even prayed in the presence of the frightened community. A vast army was coming against him, so he prayed about a vast army! He was not afraid to name his enemy. We should not fear naming our enemy, either, because when you belong to Jesus, the Holy Spirit in you is greater than any enemy in this world. (See 1 John 4:4)
What do you do when your cancer is growing and every moment counts? What happens when your disease is progressing, and there is no time to waste? The vast army was coming towards Judah. It was moving closer every moment. What did Jehoshaphat and his people do? The next verse makes me cry every time I read it.
"All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord" (2 Chronicles 20:13).
They simply stood before the Lord. Even the tiniest children. They waited. They were powerless against such a fierce enemy, so they looked to the only One who could deliver them. And they were not disappointed. God spoke through one of the Levite priests assembled there,
"Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them...You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you...Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you" (2 Chronicles 20:15-17, emphasis mine).
God heard their prayers, and He answered them using the exact same phrase. He knew they feared this vast army. God did not tell them, "Don't speak that! Do not call it a vast army!" No, the Lord reassured them by speaking directly into their fear and discouragement. He changed their perspective by telling them it was His battle to fight. God has not changed; He still fights for us. Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. God is with you through every battle you face.
Does this mean that we can sit back and let God do it all? If you are fighting diabetes, do you say, "God will heal me; I am His child, and I trust Him," then do nothing to improve your diet or your health? Of course not! Did you notice that the above Scripture says, "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions...Go out to face them tomorrow..."
It was the Lord's battle, but the Lord's people still had a job to do. God knows the name of the enemy that comes against us. He will fight for us. But we must take up our positions, march through this season of battle, and stand firm in the faith. We can face the enemy without fear and discouragement because the Lord is with us.
The Takeaway:
The first step in a battle against illness is to look to God in prayer. Do not be afraid or discouraged. The Lord is with you, and He is mighty to save. The enemy is not more powerful than the Lord who fights for you. Take up your position and stand firm in the faith.
Give grace to those who do not want to share your burdens. Share with discretion. Keep testifying to all that God is doing in your life, even during illness. Be patient as God works in the hearts of those around you; only God can change hearts and deepen faith. Be sensitive to their needs and pray for them.
Allow friends and family who have mature faith to come alongside you. They can encourage you to stand firm during your fight. They will speak truth to strengthen you when you are weary. Remember that the battle is not yours. Remind them that the battle is not theirs. The battle belongs to the Lord, and He will see you and your loved ones through it.
What have you learned about God’s faithfulness during your battles? Share in the comments. Please leave a brief prayer request if you are fighting through a difficult battle. Let us pray for you; there is power in prayer!
