I have heard life struggles called Everyday Battles. I’m sure you are aware of them – we all face them – some of them are obvious, while others are quite subtle. Every decision we make in life, business, and war is important and can lead us closer to victory or defeat. The correlation between battles fought during a war and struggles we face in life surprised me.
The Little Known Battles
Just this past week I went to a meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It was a lovely meeting, complete with visiting and snacks!
At these meetings, we typically have a guest speaker. This speaker will talk on a whole variety of potential topics, and for this specific meeting, the Battle of Cowpens was the subject.
This subject was particularly interesting to me seeing as I had been to the battlefield earlier last year, when touring upstate South Carolina.
The guest speaker mentioned that he had written two books and was in the process of proofing his third. As we were waiting for the meeting to begin, I walked over to the tables that held his books. Though I don’t recall their titles, the books were written about two battlefields from the American Revolution along the Savannah River.
“Though few people are aware of these battles,” the speaker began, ” they were pivotal battles fought during the American Revolution.” I pondered these battles, and the other battles that I had just become aware of when touring the upstate less than a year ago. So many people had said that these battles were not at all well-known, but they were instrumental in America’s success during the Revolutionary War.
I believe there is a saying – something about the importance not being in winning the battle, but rather winning the war. And while I realize the truth in that, I believe it is important to be reminded of the value and importance of the everyday battles that help us to win in life.
Why are these everyday battles important?
Well, say that it was a real battle – with soldiers and weapons. The need to protect civilians from the enemy. Advantages and disadvantages in locations and provisions. Truth be told, I don’t really know the realities and harshness of a battle, but I do know that it is awful. You have to be alert and courageous. Know your enemies strengths and weaknesses. Don’t let your own guard down. Sometimes sleep and rest are simply not an option.
As you lead up to the battle itself, sometimes there is long, silent waiting. Now I enjoy silence any other time, but I can imagine that leading up to an attack or battle, the silence can be unnerving – even deafening. Where will the enemy come from? Where will their position be when you attack? Were you accurate in your reconnaissance of the strength and number of your enemies?
No matter how many battles you have fought before, I can imagine that each battle has its own uncertainties. Surely you pray before and during the battle. God is known to bring direction and calm in the most incredible of situations.
And then, as you are fighting for your life and country, what are your thoughts? I hardly think that you are considering that the outcome of the war is more important than the battle that you are in the middle of right now. Nor do I think that you would consider slipping away, out of the battle, seeing as this might later be seen as a seemingly inconsequential battle. No! I think you would be giving it your all. Practicing creativity and wisdom in using the tools and landscape around you to your advantage. Protecting those around you to the best of your ability. These are real men who fight with you, not just names in a book. You are fighting a real enemy. One that wants to force you not to live in the way that God promised His people.
Personalization
I wish I could make this battle seem more real – for both myself and you. I want us to realize the importance of everyday battles. Each little battle shapes us and further develops our character – for good or evil.
And I certainly don’t mean for this subject to drag you down or depress you. On the contrary, I want to try to help us to see the correlation between our lives and battles.
Perhaps the entirety of our lives is like a war, and the struggles we face on a daily basis along the way are our battles. We will fail, far more than we would care to, but in these moments of failure it is imperative that we remember for Whom we fight and not allow ourselves to become discouraged.
And do you know the beauty of remembering for Whom we fight? It isn’t the self-preservation or escaping yet another battle alive, it is rather in the knowledge that victory belongs to the Lord! When we are doing what He would have us do, He will take us so very much further than we could ever go on our own!
“Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:24
So let me ask you, what battles are you facing? Perhaps they seem small or inconsequential – but let me remind you, every battle is real and important! Perhaps you struggle to have kind responses or maybe you lack confidence in your work. Let me be the first to tell you, you are a conqueror! You are able to win this battle, but you will have to fight for it. I know I have said it many times before – all good things are worth working/waiting/fighting for!
And that includes fighting your everyday battles well. Never, ever, ever give up!
Until Next Time!
Hope.