128/365: Are You Ready For The Fight?

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. ~ Proverbs 21:31

Too often we rush into the fight with no regard of God's plan to deliver the victory. How many struggles have you faced without God - only to crawl back weak and beaten... begging for Him to rescue you?

When the temptations arise and the impulse begs you to fight that ugly habit or adversary, pause and do 3 things:

Memorize today's verse, and speak it to yourself when the urge arises to launch
Take a deep breath and ask God to go ahead of you
Pray about your preparation and training to enter the "ring" that awaits.

GO DEEPER: James 1: 2-8

NEXT STEP: Identify at least one daily struggle where you need a better plan.

GraysonR.

on 05/09/2023 at 11:39 AM

It’s not about how many times you get I knocked down… it’s about how many times you get up.

Old Dude

on 05/09/2023 at 03:00 AM

Great advice. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. - James 1:12

cherub

on 05/09/2023 at 12:52 AM

that lustful urge creeping up again, I lay it before your feet Lord.I ask for forgiveness Lord for contemplating going down that path again,, thank u for reminding me of your greatness 🙏🏽

nicov

on 05/08/2023 at 10:05 PM

i thank the lord ,for making the fight vissible

SixSteelz

on 05/08/2023 at 08:05 PM

I thank God for not shutting me out.I thank God for giving me a 2nd chance on building our relationship well, it's really over a 2nd chance but, I thank him and I Pray you guys can pray for me to stay in God's will.

Kevin Miller

on 05/08/2023 at 07:26 PM

Great posts today. Being ready to fight. Having good healthy boundaries in place ahead of time is a great idea. I had to prepare myself when I was quitting drugs and alcohol. I had to stay away from users and I had to handle them correctly when I did encounter them someplace like at a store. It helps. Currently I’m working on my focus. I get so busy doing sometimes I forget to pray or acknowledge God in any way. These times don’t end week because I expect too much out of myself and others. When things don’t go as expected I get angry. I need to keep the correct focus and perspective on things.

Benjamin Reed

on 05/08/2023 at 07:13 PM

We as men do crave adventure but we should always include Christ in our adventures our walk with the lord is an adventure in itself!!!

Delray Sheen

on 05/08/2023 at 07:00 PM

I've struggled, I've stumbled, I've felt hopeless, succumbing to thoughts of, "this is just who I am". All praise to God such mindset be caste down, along with the one who whispered it. The enemy will try to make his voice seem like your voice, stripping you piece by piece of the power you rightfully stand in. I wholeheartedly believe your identify is not in your sin. I read the whole chapter for context and I felt a huge calling to be what I have struggled, diligent in all things. For his word says, "the plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty..." I need to put on the mind of Christ and approach all in today's portion with diligence. Brothers you are all needed, may the Spirit of the Lord fill you to new levels in the name of Jesus Christ.

ItCanBeDone!

on 05/08/2023 at 06:48 PM

I am still a sinner andI have issues like you all.

ItCanBeDone

on 05/08/2023 at 06:21 PM

Praying For You All. God Loves You, and I Do Too.!

ItCanBeDone!

on 05/08/2023 at 06:18 PM

With Christ; Some over 20 years, some 30: No drinking, No drugs, No porn, No lust, No Sex, No smoking,... It's a way of life, not an occassional battle. ALL OF US CAN DO IT, (WITH GOD) ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, You CAN Do It

Ethan Rogers

on 05/08/2023 at 04:27 PM

God's will is usually the outcome, so why wouldn't I keep that in mind when I go into the battle? It is always darkest before the dawn in our thinking. I try to let the spirit lead, but the world drowns out God because of my inhumility and selfish reasoning.

Marv Eastlund

on 05/08/2023 at 03:27 PM

Great conversations this morning! So inspiring to share with other men who face the same life issues as I do and struggle with them as I do. I ran across a picture one time showing a circle of men in a huddle with arms around each other praying. The caption under this picture was “What it looks like when men pray.” Under this picture was a picture of soldiers, battle ready, standing in formation looking like a formidable challenge. The caption under this picture was “What the enemy sees when we pray.” We all live in different locations but through technology we can be that group of men standing together praying. I am blessed to be part of this group.

Chris C

on 05/08/2023 at 03:09 PM

Brothers, thank you for your sharing. May God bless each of you and keep you strong. Our Lord Jesus has freed us from the bondage of sin and I lean on Him every day to guide me. Praise God!

Tim Debronsky

on 05/08/2023 at 02:50 PM

I’m praying for all of you brothers today. One of my biggest struggles is having patience with my kids and wife. Our 13 year old son is my biggest challenge at the moment. Lord help me to be slow to anger and show him patience

Michael

on 05/08/2023 at 02:43 PM

Wow..a lot a great conversations this morning… much of what I needed to hear. I feel so blessed to be hear among men that go through similar struggles as I do and have felt so alone trying be a better man,husband, father and friend. My pride to ask for help has hurt me and all along I just need to let my guard down and put the armor of God on me daily. I have a lot of work to do but will tell you that my spiritual relationship with God is not just on Sundays anymore. I thank all of you for your honest comments. Do not feel so alone anymore.

Elliott

on 05/08/2023 at 02:39 PM

Good morning brothers, it's been a year since I started this journey of self reflection and to be honest with you and I am shocked, is that the last woman I have had sex with is my ex-wife over a year ago. My brothers if that doesn't prove that Jesus love is powerful; side note: I haven't been alone for 40 years of my life. The suggestion to not start a relationship with another woman for at least one year, has shown me how important my life is! My body and my life today. I know that it's not my life it belongs to Jesus!! I am praying for everyone thank you brothers for showing me so much love this past 6 months that I have been on this journey with you. Hang in there fellow Christian, Jesus has turned my life around when I started giving 100% of this life I have today. Great testimonials this morning!!

Mark

on 05/08/2023 at 02:33 PM

Brandon, that is part of my struggle. I have found such a sense of renewal in my personal life, marriage and parenthood since I rededicated my life to God a few months ago, but I am struggling in my job. That passion and energy I have seen everywhere else in my life is just not moving over to my daily job. I am praying daily for purpose and persistence while I work and to ELIMINATE procrastination. He is faithful and I know it will get better, but just wanted to share that you are not alone there brother! Praying for all of you today. 😀

Ashley Jarvis

on 05/08/2023 at 02:14 PM

Michael before reading your share I had planned to share a practice that proved very useful and effective in my sobriety journey, that I still use daily. Hold the door for Jesus… Or hold the phone for Jesus… Or just hold for Jesus. Yes, He’s with us always, but if we fail to recognize that He is sitting next to us in a conversation, it is likely we’ll have the same feeling afterwards as though our parents were listening and we didn’t know it. That worrying about what we may have said, or not said. When I remember to hold the door for Jesus when walking into a meeting, a conversation, or really anywhere, I’m armored up and ready to be a channel of God’s peace. In a conversation like yours Michael, it’s important for me to not posture for attack, or counter attack, but rather to be and do and say exactly as Jesus would. It’s hard to keep attaching someone like Jesus was, we feel wrong even though they’ve said nothing in return. We’re forced to consider their stance, especially when we’re the ones raising our voice. Jesus would have me first voice empathy for their concerns, their hurts, their feelings of abandonment and a form of betrayal in leaving. Jesus would have me put myself in their shoes, before taking a defensive posture regarding my shoes. I can promise you the times I was successful, the price of my pride paid dividends in serenity and relationship healing and building. Praying for you 🙏🏻

Brandon Pembleton

on 05/08/2023 at 02:12 PM

YouTube adventures when I should be working on actual tasks and goals I have set for the day or myself. I have a horrible habit of needing to procrastinate until the last minute when enough “pressure” has built up to get things done. This puts a lot of stress on those I work with and my family who often wonder is he going to come through on this or not. Help me to follow through immediately God and do the things I’m supposed to do when sooner rather than last minute high stress mode. Help to not only plan my day but to fully execute it. Especially the things that don’t have to get done today but are on my list of objectives. Help me to stay focused and be a great example of leaning on you God to stay on track always. I love you God amen 🙏

Tommy Williamson

on 05/08/2023 at 01:42 PM

Scott I’ve been right there where you are and will bd praying for you. For almost 50 years I fought battles with porn, lust and sexual fantasies. Last year while I was basing my prayers on the Lords Prayer I found myself changing the phrase “on Earth” to “in me”. I then started asking that the Lord search my entire being and cleanse me of anything in my life that was not right with Him. Soon I saw this pile of stuff that had been swept up and tossed into a dumpster most of the pile was labeled with sexually oriented labels then the dumpster was whisked away. I felt so much better after it was gone, but still felt a weight of guilt. It was then the Lord showed a passage of scripture that I had read many times but this time it hit me. The passage was Matthew 6:14-15. The passage talked about forgiveness and tells us that if we are not willing to forgive the we will not be forgiven. Suddenly I heard the Lord tell me that I also had to forgive myself of past wrongs. As I began to forgive myself all the burden and desire went away.

FunkSkunk

on 05/08/2023 at 12:37 PM

My current battle is for my wife and I as we are seeking a better future for our children and ourselves in their education. This morning we have interviews at an amazing school, but it means moving, and leaving my in-laws. My in-laws are taking this idea very hard and do not understand our reasons. To be honest they haven’t let us even tell them why, we’ve only had ‘the talk’ from them. It’s created an awkward riff in our family dynamic and I expect a battle the next time we talk. My wife feels like she’s back in high school the way her dad talked to us about it and we are both 44yrs old. We have exhausted every option we know of to improve our kids lives in our small town. The next option is this or homeschool and we can’t afford to have one of us not working. We’ve been thinking about moving for this school for over 8 years and the only reason we haven’t don’t this earlier was to stay close to my wife’s parents because it’s been such a blessing. Guys please pray that God will show us the right choice and work in healing the relationship with my in-laws. This is the biggest choice we’ve thought about making ever as a family and it scares me of what can happen. I’m the optimist of the family too. Thank you my brothers!

michael f vinning

on 05/08/2023 at 12:34 PM

Right Robert…choose 1? Lol! Mine would be to persue my wife daily and not just when I want intimacy or after she points out to me that she doesn’t feel persued!! Don’t get me wrong, I love her and think she’s beautiful but life happens, you know. As a man I’m often thinking “what next”, the mental to do list of everything that needs to be done in a day from my job to caring for the many animals we have, the yard, the house, the kids and tbh, yes, persuing my wife doesn’t tip the list in most days bc I feel that I’m doing all of this for her, especially now that she can’t do as much bc of this inner ear disease, but she doesn’t give a lump about any of that, she wants me to stop, sit, talk/engage, etc…I lose this battle more than I win and it’s time for a new approach, so Jesus…let’s 3 step this thing and show her how important she is to me…to us!!!

Robert McFaddin

on 05/08/2023 at 12:23 PM

Hard to choose just one. I work in an elementary school surrounded by women. We don’t have uniforms for the staff, but there are some women who seem to have only leggings or tights. I avoid as much as I can and bounce my eyes a LOT. Would love a job where I wasn’t surrounded like this. Very hard for my wife bc she believes all I do is stare, ogle, and lust. I don’t.

128/365: Are You Ready For The Fight?

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