Most of your life you’ve heard you should pick your battles. But just as important is choosing your battleground. The enemy will do anything to get you to abandon the limitless strength of God’s presence to exhaust yourself on the bloody fields of resentment, hopelessness, and fear. But the fight you’re in is so much easier to win in God’s peace, joy, and love for you, where the enemy has no power.
If you do find yourself in the enemy’s territory, remember you don’t have to stay there, no matter what lies are thrown at you to the contrary. You can return to God’s presence immediately, and let him strengthen you in his faith, hope and love, until you can see the battle from his perspective.
“‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered the frightened man. ‘Those who are with us are far greater than those who are with them.’
Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ The Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around them” (2 Kings 6:16-17).
I just read about Elisha a few days ago so this is still fresh in my heart. Brought tears to my eyes to read the passage you quoted here. Not for saddness, but for triumph in God our rock and fortress and deliverer, our strength.