The Battles We Are Fighting

by Becky Roach

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle.” – John Watson

How do we know the truth of this quote?  By looking at our own lives and the lives of those around us.

There are physical battle going on all the time.  All of us know people with cancer or heart disease, or people with painful conditions like arthritis.  Most of us know people affected by such mentally, emotionally, and even physically debilitating diseases as alzheimer’s.  Even little children sometimes suffer from terrible illnesses.

Diseases like these affect us not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  Physical pain almost invariably leads to depression to one extent or another.

There are relationship battles going on all around us, too.  We know people who, on the outside, look like they have everything.  Perhaps they do, materially.  Yet, for reasons unknown to us, they suffer broken relationships.  They may have a poor relationship with one of their children, for example, or with their in-laws, or with their spouse.  They could have a grandchild that they have never even seen because of a broken relationhip.

Oh, what pain and remorse they may be suffering!  But most of the time it is hidden behind a smile and a front that says, “I’m fine.”  How many wow suffer from the devastation of divorce and separation from spouse and children, and the death of their dreams.

There also are spiritual battles.  There are people who are openly persecuted for their faith in God.  There are others who battle everyday to believe that God really loves them even though they are suffering physical or emotional or relational pain.

Each of our lives is like a ship sailing along on the seas.  Sometimes the sea is calm and the wind is just right and our voyage is going well.  Other times we meet with a storm.  Sometimes it seems to be one storm after another and we begin to despair and fear that we are not going to make it.

Sometimes, just a smile or a kind, encouraging word is enough to renew our faith and hope.  so, let us try to be the one today to give that word to at least one person, for we are all in need of help and hope.  Each day is a battle.  No one wins the victory alone.  We all need each other.  And, we all need a power far greater than human power.  We need a spiritual power that can be found only in God and His Word.