In life we are sometimes bombarded with challenges and obstacles. They can be so bothersome that we can lose focus of what we were called to do. Actually the challenges were designed to do just that. It seems that the more we tend to press into the will of God, the harder the struggle. It seems attacks will come from every direction in the very area you are pursuing God’s perfect will. If you are seeking peace and unity, division and confusion comes at you. But this battle is the Lords. And if we stop to engage directly, not only do we risk being consumed with bitterness, anger and frustration, we will fail in receiving the victory that has already been won for us. Remember our fight is not with flesh and blood, so our weapons must be those given by God. We fight in prayer and praise and with love. We pull down strongholds in the spirit. We press forward into the things God has set before us, and like Nehemiah, we refuse to come off the wall to engage in foolishness. We trust God and keep moving forward. I am determined to receive the promises God has for me, and to accomplish His good pleasure for my life.

⁷ But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it will be evident that such overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. ⁸ We have all kinds of troubles, but we are not crushed; we are perplexed, yet not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, yet not abandoned; knocked down, yet not destroyed.