From the day you were born you were thrust into a fight you didn’t choose. Every round, you will take and land hits, some you will win, others you’ll lose: however, the end is decided in your favor. Whether you realize it or not, you are at some point in this match. You’ve been hit with the loss of a loved one, rejection of a job opportunity or someone, financial woes, by sickness or failure. You’re competing with an injury: frustrated by your incapability to perform your best. How do you win the Fight of Your Life?
Believe it or not, the key to winning this fight resides in reclaiming your identity. To better illustrate this allow me to rename you. (Yes I’m teaching you to reclaim your identity by changing your name. Ironic as that may be.) Trust me my friend. You are now -Simon Peter- got it? Good.
Jesus once asked his disciples “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” and the disciples said “John the Baptist…Elijah…Jeremiah or one of the prophets” and then he asked:“But who do you say that I am?” and Simon answered “ You are the Christ the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:13-17). Are you convinced of God’s sovereignty and power whether he chooses to deliver you from the current situation or not? If God doesn’t give you your desire: are you persuaded of his ability to make all things work together for good according to His purpose in your life? Or is God merely a dispenser from which you expect to receive a proverbial “bubble gum” blessing every time you deposit a quarter? Even if God doesn’t deliver you from trouble or even death, God is still sovereign. Paul continually fought a “thorn in his side”, but was willing to bear it for the sake of encountering God’s sufficiency and perfect grace. Who do you say He is? What are you willing to bear?
1. Remained convinced of his Sovereignty
Peter, my friend: “the enemy desires to sift you as wheat.” Unfortunately when Jesus commanded Peter to pray, as not to enter into temptation, he fell asleep at Gethsemane instead. Praying the word of God, speaking the word of God when the enemy throws fiery darts at us, shields us with truth in the midst of battle against a determined adversary. We cannot afford to fall asleep, we must as J.D. Greear said: “cover [ourselves] with the word of God so, when we are cut: we bleed the word of God.” It is the only way Jesus triumphed against the enemy when tempted in the wilderness. As it did for Him, it will keep you!
2. Remain in prayer and God’s word.
Are you willing to brave the eye of the storm, if God calls you to walk on turbulent waters? As Matthew 14:22-30 illustrates, God often calls you to walk on water during a terrible storm with one condition-you must keep your eyes on Him. Turning to the right or left will cause you to sink as Peter did until re-focused on the Master of the seas. Turn your eyes upon Jesus!
3. Remain obedient and focused.
Simon I admonish you today as Helen H. Lemmel said in the hymn: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.” When looking at the creator of the universe, everything becomes small. As I changed your name for this article, Jesus will change your name from Simon to Peter: a rock upon which he will build your ministry and destiny in Him. Remain convinced of who he is, remain diligent in prayer and reading the word and remain obedient and focused. He will grant you power the enemy cannot touch. Reclaim your identity in Christ! The gong has sounded and the next round has begun! Go get it Peter!
Your Supportive Fan,
K.Love