Battle Plan

You therefore endure hardness, as a god soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7)

We can’t help being aware of conflicts that are raging in various parts of the world today. Behind each conflict there is planning, careful planning. Plans are made to attack and plans are made to defend.

The New Testament likens Christians to soldiers. We face our battles too. Some of these are with people, other times the devil,  sometimes with circumstances and even ourselves. At times it can seem as though we are fighting all four at once!

So, the question today is, “Do you have a battle plan?”

We need a strategy ahead of time, we need to prepare for the battle in the days of calm.
Recently, I was reflecting on a ‘battle plan’ which may also help others to victory.

1. Remember that God is always good.  During difficult times, our opponent can whisper in our ear. “ If God is a good God, why is He allowing this to happen to you?”  It’s a cruel jibe because he wants us to doubt the character of God at a time we need Him most. If we can’t trust God, who can we trust?  We need to come to a place where we trust His unchanging, loving character in the good times and the bad. And we need to remember two very important things:   “God is love” (1 John 4:8 ) and  “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  (Romans 8:28). God, through His Word,  reassures us  that even the dark and difficult times have a purpose for good! 
2. Don’t doubt in the dark what you knew to be true in the light.   Before battle commences, you have known times of victory, times of joy and happiness in God. You have known that He loves you and that He has a plan for your life. You have known that you are in the place God wants you to be, doing the work He wants you to do. Never, never doubt that.  If, in times of light, you knew the truth, never doubt it when you’re being pummelled by the enemy. Circumstances change but the truth remains the same. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
3. Never give up. There is an old hymn I love. It’s a rousing hymn about revival and we are entreated to never give in.​

​Raise up a people, holy and free; 
Hearts with a vision like unto thee; 
Souls that would rather die than give in – 
Lives with a passion, victory to win.
E.C.W. Bolton

There is a saying that “those who fail to plan, plan to fail”. But we don’t need to fail. By making ourselves ready for the battles ahead, we can not only survive, come through them victorious, knowing the ressurection power of Jesus Christ.

​Pauline Anderson