Life is full of battles. Whether it’s health challenges, financial strain, relationship conflicts, or other obstacles that feel too overwhelming to face, we all have struggles that seem too big for us.
When tough situations arise, our natural instinct is to immediately launch into problem-solving mode. We try to fight the battle with our own strength, relying on our own wisdom, willpower, and resources. But fighting this way can lead to stress, exhaustion, and defeat.
There is a better way. A way to victory. A way that positions God to fight on your behalf. The key is realizing that ultimately, the battle belongs to the Lord, not to us.
1. Stop Fighting in Your Own Strength
Too often when challenges arise our first response is to start battling in the natural realm. We try to muscle through difficult circumstances, forcing our way through by sheer determination. But this only takes us so far.
The truth is, many of the battles we face have a spiritual root. The hard situations we want to fight in our flesh are actually the overflow of an underlying spiritual issue. As Ephesians 6:12 tells us:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
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Trying to win spiritual battles in our own natural strength is foolish. It would be like showing up to a gunfight with a knife. We simply do not have the weapons needed to win this kind of war. We need supernatural power on our side.
The moment we realize the true spiritual nature of the battles we face, it becomes clear that we cannot fight them successfully in our own power.
Our strength will always fail us. God’s strength never fails. That’s why He wants to fight for us. But first, we need to relinquish control of the battle to Him.
2. Give the Battle Back to God
Imagine you’re facing a huge giant of a problem. It towers over you, threatening to crush you underneath its massive weight.
You’re frantically looking for rocks to throw at the giant or sticks to jab its legs, hoping to knock it down through your own effort. But the giant just laughs at your feeble attempts.
This scene illustrates what happens when we try to wage war against the battles in life under our own power.
We lob our puny human strength at gigantic problems and it barely leaves a dent. Meanwhile, we’re exhausted and drained, having poured everything we have into the fight.
At some point, we have to stop, catch our breath, and admit “This battle is too big for me!” That’s the turning point. When we finally come to the end of ourselves and recognize our need for help.
Just like young David said to the taunting giant Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty” (1 Samuel 17:45), we must give our battles back to the One who is mighty to save.
It’s a humbling posture of surrender. Releasing our grip on the situation and declaring, “This isn’t my battle, it’s yours Lord. I trust you to fight for me.”
At this point, we partner with God to let Him have His way. That’s when the real victory comes.
3. Change Your Focus Through Worship
One of the most powerful weapons God has given us against spiritual battles is worship.
When we choose to focus on and glorify God even in the midst of difficult circumstances, the atmosphere shifts from one of fear and defeat into faith and triumph.
We see an example of this in 2 Chronicles 20. The vast armies of the Moabites and Ammonites were converging to attack King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. The situation looked impossible, so Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and sought the Lord for guidance.
God told him,
“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s”
2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)
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God instructed the people to march into battle praising and worshiping Him. Something significant happens when God’s people worship, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Our perspective changes. Our focus moves away from the problem and onto the all-powerful One who reigns over every problem.
Paul and Silas understood this principle. When they were unjustly imprisoned for preaching the gospel, they broke out into worship and praise in the darkest midnight hour (Acts 16:25).
God shook the earth with His mighty power, opened the prison doors, and set them free.
Singing praise, thanking God, and declaring His goodness breaks the spirit of heaviness and defeat. Joy becomes our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
Faith arises to remind us that no weapon formed against us can prosper. God inhabits the praises of His people.
4. Let God Fight For You
Once we’ve surrendered the battle to the Lord and engaged the power of worship, we make space for God to move on our behalf. Now it’s time for Him to step in and display His mighty power.
Jehoshaphat demonstrated this posture of humility mixed with bold faith when he said “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).
He confessed his helplessness while keeping his focus steadfast on God. This opens the door for divine intervention.
When God fights for us, He unleashes weapons and strategies we could never fathom on our own.
The passage says God set ambushes against the enemy forces converging on Judah. He caused confusion in their camp so they turned against each other.
By the time Jehoshaphat and his army arrived on the scene, the massive enemy forces had been decimated without them lifting a finger!
God has a thousand ways to come to your rescue and turn the tides in your favor. All He requires is your trust.
You may have to walk through fire but know that He controls the flames and will bring you safely to the other side (Isaiah 43:1-3).
Keep your eyes on Him. His mighty arm is fighting where you cannot see.
5. The Battle Belongs to the Lord
At the end of the day, we have to remember that no battle we face belongs to us. As hard as the struggle might be, it isn’t ultimately our burden to bear.
The battle belongs to the Lord. Our job is to trust Him enough to hand it over completely and let Him take over.
Charles Stanley (former senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Atlanta) summarizes it perfectly: “The battle is the Lord’s! He goes before His people to fight on their behalf. Victory begins and ends with Him. All that remains for us to do is trust and follow.”
When you’re tempted to sling arrows at the giants in life under your own strength, pause and recalibrate.
Take a deep breath. Refocus your heart and mind on God. And simply say “This battle belongs to you, Lord. And I know you never lose.” God will take it from there as you wait on Him expectantly.
The battle belongs to the Lord. And when we give Him the battle, He gives us the victory!
Key Takeaways
- Trying to fight battles with your own strength leads to defeat and exhaustion. God’s power is the only way to win.
- Surrender the battle to God in prayer. Admit it’s too big for you and trust Him to conquer it.
- Worship focuses your mind on God’s greatness, releasing faith and supernatural help.
- Letting God fight for you opens the door for His creativity and strategies you could never think of.
- No matter how difficult the struggle is, it’s not your battle ultimately. The battle belongs to the Lord!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I pray but God doesn’t seem to come through? Does that mean He left me on my own?
A: God may not intervene in the timing or way we expect, but He promises to never leave us or forsake us. Keep praying and trusting Him even when you don’t see obvious breakthroughs. His ways are higher than ours.
Q: How do I know if a battle is mine to fight in my own strength versus giving it to God?
A: If you’ve done everything you can reasonably do and are still coming up short, it’s a sign that your own strength can’t win this fight. Ask God to show you if it’s time to step back and let Him take over.
Q: I’m facing so many attacks and problems. I’m overwhelmed just trying to survive. How can I even begin to worship?
A: Start small. Take a minute to thank God for a few things, reflect on His faithfulness in your life, or read a psalm. Ask Him for strength. The worship will build faith incrementally.
Q: What if I keep messing up the same areas of my life? Does God get tired of me giving back the same battles?
A: God is merciful and always ready to forgive. Be honest with Him about your weaknesses and dependency on His power to change. He wants your reliance and will help you.
Q: How do I know if it’s better to take action or wait when giving God a battle?
A: Ask Him! God’s Spirit will lead and prompt the timing. Be sensitive to His guidance to either step out in faith or stand still and wait patiently.
