WAR

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36X36 Acrylic on Canvas Catching a sportfish like a mahi is a battle. I braced myself in the fighting chair, rod in hand, with the key west sun straight above me and then the unexp ected happened—the fight was on. It became a test of endurance and will, a full-on war that I knew would end either in the loss of the trophy or an overcoming win. I won that battle that day! Life can feel much the same way. Wars are all around us. The battle of wills. One worldview against another. We see it on social media, in the news, and in everyday life. Sometimes the war feels far away, happening on the other side of the globe. Other times it’s closer—within our homes, our relationships, or even within our own hearts. The Bible is full of stories about wars and battles, yet Paul reminds us that the true battle is not physical at all: “Put on the whole armor of God, for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil.” Ephesians 6:11–12 “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:3–4 Are you tired of the wars you battle within? Are you weary from the fights playing out around you? Paul continues in Ephesians 6 by showing us how we are to walk through the battle— “with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” The peace that comes from Jesus is what steadies us as we walk into the fight. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 After putting on the armor, the final instruction Paul gives is to pray—and to pray for one another. We are not in this battle alone. When I find myself in spiritual warfare, I have to remember two things: I am not alone, and I already have everything I need. Because in the end, the battle is not truly ours. It belongs to God. And Jesus has already overcome it: “I have told you these things so that you may have peace in me. In this world you will have many trials. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Show more