May 14, 2021
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. Proverbs 21:31 ESV
Solomon provides a helpful reminder of how we should approach conflict. We do our part in preparing ourselves but engage in “battle” with a mindset that “victory belongs to the Lord.” The temptation is to rush into a conflict and act as if the outcome rests on our shoulders—our words, our actions. That usually does not work well. So how do we prepare with the mindset that the outcome is under the Lord’s direction? We rehearse these truths:
- The Holy Spirit will direct our thoughts and words as the confrontation unfolds (Mark 13:11).
- We fight not against fellow humans but with forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12).
- Our victory over sin has already been won in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Even if the outcome is not how we had hoped, we press on knowing that God is working all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28), and in due time he will restore us (1 Peter 5:10).
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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