The Battle Within...

The Battle Within...11-5-25

I have always heard it said that the hardest battles we fight are not with what we can see, but what we cannot. I can completely relate to this. Everyone around us is fighting a battle that we don't see. Everyone around is fighting for something or against something. We all have struggles. We all have trials and tribulations. It is in who fights the battle for us that makes the difference in each of our lives. I have made no attempt to hide things when I write. I try, sometimes fail, but try to make sure that I speak the truth. Sometimes the truth is harder than fiction. It reveals to the reader who we are. It also reveals to us who we are not. That to me is harder. It is not letting anyone else inside, but letting myself inside.

I have taught every kind of child. Children are inately the same. They want to be seen and want to be heard. Every adult does, really. I have had children who are highly intelligent and children who struggle at all learning abilities. I don't call them disabilities, they all have abilities. Some can only speak with moans, some can't speak at all, and some speak even when they shouldn't, but they all cry out in some way. They all want to be heard. The students' struggles are real. They want to be heard, seen, valued, and loved. Just as we do. We war inside against good and bad, trying to live for Christ and human flesh, pride and humility, acceptance and rejection, and self worth and understanding God loves us no matter what. The list goes on and on. The mind won't stop, and the battles won't stop until we stand at the feet of Our Savior on the day of our judgment.

My favorite verse is 2 Timothy 4:7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." I know fighting the battle within is always going to be harder than any battle that I can come against face-to-face. Therefore, until I see my Lord face-to-face, I will fight the fight. I will put on the whole armor of God against all things seen and unseen.