Amanda Elliott is a grateful believer in Jesus Christ, wife, mom, business owner and Benton resident. She believes we are each “built to battle” by a perfect creator who made us with a capacity for victory, a handbook for success (the Bible) and a spirit who empowers us to live in peace and joy. Follow Amanda Elliott’s “Built to Battle” column at www.mysaline.com/amanda.
You have an enemy. But, it’s not likely who your’e picturing right now. The enemy is not your boss, your baby daddy or some bad disease. The enemy isn’t after your bank account, your body or your business.
He may mess with these things, may use these people. But, he isn’t after these things of the world. The victory for our enemy is in destroying the things no one can see with the eyes, but most certainly impact every single thing we say or do.
What he’s after is our salvation, peace, joy, focus. These are things that only we can choose to give away, or choose to protect. These are things given to us only by the grace of God as a gift. And how we protect what God has given us and preserve our very souls in the midst of any and all circumstances rests in one book — the Bible.
I woke up today in a battle. And if you woke up today, you did, too. Each week it’s my aim to share the unchanging Word of God in a way that helps arm His people for the battles we face each day. For years (most of my life) I knew about God, even believed in Him. But, I didn’t know how to literally let Him fight my battles and find victory.
I didn’t literally believe His word, His love, His power. Until it was all I had left.
The Bible tells us in Ephesians that our fight is not against flesh and blood. For everything we see, there is an unseen world and a way to victory. There is a way to live in peace and joy without footnote. Peace and joy no matter the doctor’s report, or the news report or the school report.
This way to victory in the midst of circumstances came to me six years ago when I faced a personal battle that felt like being thrown off the Arkansas River bridge in January. I had no answers and no one to rescue me. I lived 400 miles from home with a 2-year-old and a pending divorce. I picked up my Grandma Wanda’s worn navy blue Bible and opened it to Psalm 62 and read it out loud. Shaking. Crying. And then read it again. And again. And again.
“I shall not be greatly moved,” the verse said.
Some versions say “I will not be shaken.” And, yet, I was shaken. To my very core. The thin pages of the Bible shook in my hands. But, something began to happen in those months as I read again and again. I began to feel the truth of God’s word take hold.
So, today, if it feels as though the world (or at least your world) may be about to fall apart, if you’ve been rattled and wracked by the waves of present, trust an unshakable God and His firm foundation. Today, pick up the word of God and read it out loud. Start with Psalm 62.
He only is my rock and my salvation; my fortress and my defense. I will not be shaken or discouraged. —Psalm 62:6