Each of us is going to have to face a battle. These are not the signals of God’s displeasure towards you. From the moment you take your first and last breath, you will encounter spiritual warfare. The devil is not going to take you out in one signal blow. He is working to wear you out and discourage you before he defeats you.

Battles come in many forms. There are some health struggles. You have financial battles. Financial battles sometimes come because we are trying to keep up with the Joneses. There are mental and emotional battles. There are people in our lives telling us negative things that can become a battle. We must be careful and guard our eyes, ears, and the gates of our lives. Some look good on the outside, but are struggling on the inside. There are spiritual battles that believers encounter in their walk with God.

You have to get ready for battle. You must prepare for war in the time of peace. This is a common practice of God. Whatever you are fighting now is preparation for your future. If you do not approach those challenges, you will not have a track record. David encountered his battles when he was a shepherd. During the time David was shepherding the sheep, he encountered the lion and the bear. When he encountered Goliath, the giant, David had a history of previous battles.

No army goes to war without a battle plan. No football team goes without a strategy. Only in the church do we appear not to have a plan. No team takes to a plan without a strategy. The enemy does not know God’s playbook. If the enemy knew the plan of God dying on the cross, the enemy would not have done what he did. In every fight, there are declarations that God gives. There is a distinction between declare and decree. God has the power to declare and decree. To declare something is to say something. To be able to decree it, you must have power over it. God reminds us that we must be mindful of the fears, not. There are strategies we must remember: The first thing you must do is not to be afraid. God will strengthen us and hold our hands. We belong to God. You don’t know how much the Lord loves you.

You have to place yourself in the right position. We are to face our battle face-to-face. We have to get our mental right. Life and death are found in the power of the tongue. Your position in battle starts on your knees, but you must get on your feet and stand in praise. The enemy you are facing will be beaten with your fists, but with your praise. God is good before the fight. Good is good before the victory. Stand still when all others are not standing. Stand when fear tells you to run.