It has been awhile since I blogged last however, in my last posting (Aug. 16th, titled Make His name known) I reflected on how parenting can feel like battle, because it is! There is a very real enemy who is out to destroy families. I ended my reflection stating that next time I posted I would reflect on how we already have the victory. Let me share a bit of truth to encourage you as you fight the good fight!
We are not alone in this battle. We are in Jesus! His Spirit is our power source! And Jesus has the victory already! Though Satan is temporarily the ruler of this age, Jesus is the ultimate ruler who has already defeated Satan.
1 Corinthians 15:45b-58
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Oh how it encourages me so to know that my work, raising my children in love and grace, is not in vain! Though there are many moments when my labor (parenting) seems in vain. When my 2 1/2 year old son continues to do the very thing he was punished for doing 1 hour prior or when I lose my patience and insist on getting things done my way. These are moments when I have to remind myself that I can continue to give myself fully to raising my children because God promises if I am working unto Him than it is not in vain and it is worth the struggle!
1 John 5:2-5, Encourages me as well. When days seem extra long and it feels like the world and all the tasks in it are overcoming me, I can take heart remember that because I am a child adopted by God I have overcome the world!
“This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands.And his commands are not burdensome,4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
Don’t give up the fight! You are victorious!
