I thought Saturdays were supposed to be relaxing.  Not so much for me this past weekend.  From the time my eyes opened I had this sense of apprehension and dread with no understanding of where the feelings were coming from.  After a while of trying to figure it out I gave up and went to my fall back, my Plan B.  For me that means busying myself in hopes of forgetting about it.  Probably not the best way to deal, but it’s always been my fallback method.  With a quick survey of things that needed to be done I decided to start preparing all of the paperwork for our taxes.  After only a few short minutes I began coming across bills that had been paid throughout this past year, paperwork reminding me my wife’s cancer scare, unexpected dentist trips that led to high-priced dental procedures, the loss of a loved one, debt that had accumulated for one reason or another.  If I’m being transparent, 2016 was a rough year for my family physically, financially, mentally, and spiritually.  When everything happened, I remembered how all-consuming it all felt.  I began to realize, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I had gone through the fire- fighting battle after battle- but I made it through and didn’t even smell like smoke!  There was very little evidence any of it had ever happened.  Bills that should have taken me a few years to pay were paid in full!  Situations that should have caused me to lose my mind were distant thoughts I barely remembered!  I became so encouraged!  My mood changed instantly.  I felt grateful, blessed, and humbled that God would care for me like He did.

Have you ever watched a boxing match where one guy is getting pounced on?  He gets in a punch here and there but just as you think he can come back…. he gets hit again, and harder.  After a while you just pray for the bell to ring so he can catch a little break to doctor that bloodied nose.  That’s life.  It happens fast and quick.  1 Samuel 30 tells us of David returning with his men from a hard fought, exhausting battle only to find their belongings, wives, and families had been taken.  Though David had been anointed the next King he had been fighting with the current King, Saul, for nearly seven years or longer.  He had even spared Saul’s life when he could have taken it and forcefully occupied the throne.  No doubt in this exact moment he was tired and at his breaking point.  Rather than have a pity party the Bible tells us (v. 6) David, “…encouraged himself in the Lord.”  Next, he prayed to God for direction on his next step.  God encouraged him to go forth into battle informing Him that he would (v.8), “…recover all.”  And he did.  God restored everything that had been taken and more.  Coincidentally, a short time later- after the death of Saul, David became the new King.  Had he thrown in the towel after the aforementioned battle he could have missed his greatest blessing.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Have you considered your breakthrough, your greatest blessing, could be right around the corner?  Sometimes our greatest battles lead us directly to our promise.  Will you give up early?  Or will you keep throwing punches?  The battle will only be difficult if there are spoils involved.  There’s something waiting for you on the other side of that battle you’re facing.  It may feel like you’re losing but, with God by your side, you’ve already conquered the enemy!  Keep fighting, my friends!

Have a blessed week, my friends!