Battles, Everywhere

.One doesn't have to look very far to notice...

We are not all getting along as much as we like to joke about being able to do so.

The battles exist. On every stage. In every room. In every arena of life. With others, and ourselves.
Victims suffering great loss.

In our world, globally.
In our world, locally.
In politics... we won't go there.
In faith... probably should do that either.
In our relationships... which has as much destruction and suffering as war itself.
In our schools... as if learning was a feat of its' own.
In our workplaces... which made the news yesterday.
In our homes... the one place that should actually be a "safe space".
In our minds... which lasts longer than war itself.

The power of getting through this life and the battles therein, lies the grace that is experienced through laughter. Indeed, it does good like medicine.

Conversely, this is the strategy of every opponent. If he can keep you in a place of being worn out and exhausted, then you are prone to live an existence of hopeless despair and utter defeat. He who does not and can no longer laugh is lost.

In every arena and avenue of life, help always comes from one who is stronger, not weaker. Whatever the struggle, nobody goes to the one who is in worse circumstance, poorer condition or suffering greater loss and defeat to better themselves. However, if we are constantly embattled and consumed with whatever battle is at our door, we will never be able to step out and go across to help the battle of another.

There will always be battles, as there will always be wars, for evil resides among us in the hearts of humanity. Despair looms and defeat awaits; around every corner and intersection. Many we see coming, many more that we do not see. But when laughter is lost in the process, the prospect does not look good; indeed, the outcome looks hopeless.

But to those...
... who rely up on Him are renewed.
... who look to Him are strengthened.
... who call to Him are saved.
... who trust in God, they laugh at the days to come.

On this #communitySaturday, pray that the church would be people who would live and operate from a place of strength. May we engage in such a way as to be an encourage and inspiration to those around us without hope. Pray we would not be so overcome and overwhelmed with our own battles that we miss the opportunities to fight on behalf of those around us and help them win. May despair and defeat be far from our hearts and minds; that we would speak truth and love, encouragement and laughter.

Let the hopeless be filled with hope
Let the defeated overcome.
Let the sad be filled with joy.
And the down-trodden in despair,
Uplifted in laughter.
For His joy is our strength.
Winners. For the glory of God.

- PNC