Strength in the Spirit Through Our Battles

“This fight I’m in is not of flesh and blood. The weapons that I need are in your love.”

-Tori Kelly

Are there any crime show junkies out there? Growing up, my grandma and I loved watching crime show television together. Each storyline fully engaged me as I watched highly specialized teams think their way through recovering missing persons, solving heinous crimes, and restoring the balance of justice. There was something about their discipline and training that captured my heart. Even as I’ve gotten older, this genre of entertainment continues to be a favorite pass time.

My most recent crime show binge has been the television series S.W.A.T. The word S.W.A.T. stands for Specialized Weapons and Tactics, and as I’ve watched through this series, most of the time I find myself not only admiring their specialized training but also noticing how incredibly fit and chiseled these people are. I know the show’s characters are professional actors and models in real life but watching episode after episode reminds me of the purpose behind their lean physique and seemingly perfect health.

As one fighting scene unfolded, I watched my favorite character grapple with his attacker. My initial feelings of being nervous for him were soon outweighed by the confidence of his S.W.A.T. training. I knew he was the most capable person in that room to fight and subdue an attack. It was in this moment, that I felt the Lord assure me that this is the same confidence that He has with His Spirit in us as we face our many emotional battles.

When we get overwhelmed by the cares of this world, centering our hearts and beginning our day with a devotional like this is the exact training the Lord has for us to anchor ourselves in His truth no matter what the day throws at us. Remembering that our fight is not against our boss, our loved ones, or your neighbor, but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12), produces emotional fortitude and prevents us from indulging in unhealthy thoughts about ourselves and others. Weapons of our culture and societal norms won’t get the job done. Only divine weapons will do. The tactical wisdom of the Holy Spirit produces His love in our inner-most being so it can permeate from within to our sphere of influence. We are being trained daily to set our mind on Jesus, anchor ourselves in God’s Word, and tune out all other noise through the power and fruit of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible tells us that while physical training is beneficial, spiritual training and spiritual health is much better. The Message version even reads, “Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gym are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever” (1 Timothy 4:8 MSG). Let God train you to be equipped and well for any and all good works (2 Timothy 3:17).

Reflection

What does “strength in the Spirit” mean to you? What does that look like?
How have you been connecting and experiencing intimacy with God daily?
In what ways can you continue to “build” your spiritual health every day?

Goals

Write down every fruit of the Spirit. Write down next to it how you want to see this fruit produced in action in your life and in your relationships?

The fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied forms: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit.

(Galatians 5:22-23 TPT)