CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The 6th round begins as the two heavyweight boxers dance around each other in the ring, bobbing and jabbing hoping to land a punch.
With the first successful punch the commentator shouts with excitement;
“And there it is! The challenger lands a jab to the face! Oh! What a response! The champion scores with a right hook! Look at that upper cut! Boy is he fast!
“The champion is getting tired. Oh! The challenger is moving in to take advantage of his fatigue. There it goes! The challenger lands another right hook!
But wait! The champion bounces back and hits him with a right cross! The challenger counters with a left hook, but he misses and leaves himself open!”
BAM! BAM! BAM!
“The challenger looks dazed; his knees are buckling and he is DOWN! 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10! The victory goes once again to our current heavyweight champion!”
You may not watch boxing matches on TV but,
WE EACH FREQUENTLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR OWN BOXING MATCH.
It is not a physical match,
but a mental & spiritual one.
THE OPPONENTS FOR THE MATCH ARE
FEAR VS. FAITH!
With all the uncertainty surrounding the economy, wars, violence, disasters & the country’s disunity, fear will take every opportunity to jab at us hoping to land a punch.
FEAR CHALLENGES OUR FAITH PUNCHING US WITH DOUBT.
JABBING US WITH
FEAR OF FAILURE,
DISEASE,
POVERTY,
REJECTION,
and a host of other fears as it tries to knock us down.
It even jabs us with a fear of death.
When we are tired from all the calamity, fear will take the opportunity to take another punch. Sometimes fear connects with a good right hook. Fear may win a few rounds, but it does not have to win the match.
When fear challenges us, we can be victorious!
Like the boxers during the fight recall the wisdom and powerful punches they have been taught, we too can prepare ourselves by learning & recalling the wisdom and powerful punches of God.
BAM!
2 Timothy 1:7,
For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
BAM!
1 John 4:4,
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
BAM!
Isaiah 41:10,
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
BAM!
Luke 1:37,
For with God nothing will be impossible.
Although fear may land a jab or two and even win some rounds,
with God on our side,
fear can’t win the fight if we don’t let it.
Let’s all fight fear with the wisdom and powerful punches of God so that we can be victorious!
BAM!
MY FAITH VS. FEAR
Back in 2021 we faced covid, politics, shootings, wars & disasters. Does this sound familiar? It seemed that tragedies abounded as we listened to or read the news. In 2025, the players may be different, but the battles are still the same.
All of these battles and our personal ones include a component of fear. As my heart was saddened then, it is now. I cry for those struggling. I pray for wisdom for those seeking peace and justice. I pray for healing and unity.
I find that when listening to too much negative news or dwelling on difficulties that I or those I love face, that it’s easy for my heart to become very heavy. Heavy with sadness, heavy with fear. I want resolution. I want healing. I want peace.
SO, WHAT HAVE I LEARNED TO DO ABOUT IT?
In faith, I fight back.
Not physically, but mentally and spiritually.
You can too!
Giving “fear” a good 1-2 punch, fortifies my faith. It encourages me that God is more powerful than anything I or anyone else will ever face. So, let’s fight back together!
REFLECTION
Is there a fear you are facing now that needs a good spiritual 1-2 punch?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, remind me to pray for all the struggles facing people I know, our country & the world. Help me to recognize when fear creeps into my heart and stand in faith to give fear a good 1-2 punch. As I write 2 Timothy 1:7 and say it aloud, implant it in my heart and help me to see how very much You love me. In Jesus name. Amen.
STRENGTHEN FAITH & DEFEAT FEAR
WITH GOD’S WORD!
Comment!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
Photo boxing glove, Bogdan Yukhymchuk
Photo punching bag only, Pete Alexopoulos
