Life without war is impossible in the natural or the supernatural realm. It is a fact that there is a continuing struggle in the physical, mental, moral, and spiritual areas of life.Health is the balance between the physical parts of my body and all the things and forces surrounding me. To maintain good health I must have sufficient internal strength to fight off the things that are external. Everything outside my physical life is designed to cause my death. The very elements that sustain me while I am alive work to decay and disintegrate my body once it is dead. If I have enough inner strength to fight, I help to produce the balance needed for health. The same is true of the mental life. If I want to maintain a strong and active mental life, I have to fight. This struggle produces the mental balance called thought.Morally it is the same. Anything that does not strengthen me morally is the enemy of virtue within me. Whether I overcome, thereby producing virtue, depends on the level of moral excellence in my life. But we must fight to be moral. Morality does not happen by accident; moral virtue is acquired.

And spiritually it is also the same. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation…” (John 16:33). This means that anything which is not spiritual leads to my downfall. Jesus went on to say, “…but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” I must learn to fight against and overcome the things that come against me, and in that way produce the balance of holiness. Then it becomes a delight to meet opposition.

Holiness is the balance between my nature and the law of God as expressed in Jesus Christ.

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December 4 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning God and thank You for this day, this devotional and Your leading. However, a still small voice inside of me tells me that I cannot fight and overcome all the things that come against me in this world. And my experience confirms it. The trials and tribulations of this world wear me down Lord. The pressures of life, the daily issues of family, relationships, work, friends, finances; they all seem to bring with them enough and new daily trouble of their own. And my track record of winning in the fight(s) against them does not look all that promising. However, You have shown us that our fight is not with the trials of this life, our fight is to simply surrender and let You fight the fight on our behalf. Is that right Lord? Is it right that we are not to fight the trials and tribulations? We are to surrender to You and allow You to fight them on our behalf?

And God says…”That is correct. In your daily life you can only win the fight against the moral, physical and spiritual trials by allowing Me to fight those battles for you. And it always starts with your surrender to Me. You are to fight to overcome those things that come against your surrender; your distractions, service, and “spiritual” work from your own effort and strength. Regardless of your standing and ideas about your strength and position, let it go!”

“And remember that I may not choose to remove your trials. You may need them to have their perfect result. But you know by now that you can still face the trials and tribulations while living an abundant life; one filled with peace that passes all understanding.”

“Acknowledge Me in all your ways and I will make your paths straight. Take my yoke upon you, it is not heavy, My burden is light. And recall that when you are surrendered you will know; simply know, by the power and voice of the Holy Spirit, that all I make all things work together for your good. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you need, including the fight against the trials and tribulations of your life… and/or I may simply give you a peace that passes all understanding while you are right in the midst of them. Your role is to simply surrender to Me and let Me be God.”