To The Soldier Who’s Been Fighting A Long Time

Next LIVE webinar: Healing from the Trauma of Poverty|April 3, 2024

To-The-Soldier-Whos-Been-Fighting-A-Long-TimeI feel like I have a word today for some soldiers who have been fighting a long time. I’m specifically talking to people who are fighting the good fight in God’s Kingdom, but this could also pertain to actual soldiers in the military on the battlefield.

Either way, if that’s you, I feel like the Lord would like to say these three things to you today:

1. “Trust Me.”

I know things look bleak. I know it’s hard. I know you feel tired. But GOD’S GOT THIS. He’s been on the throne since eternity past and will remain on the throne for eternity future. He’s big. He’s huge. He’s everywhere at once.

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    And He’s got this.

    I know it looks like people are in control … but they’re not.

    I know circumstances may seem dark … but they’re not.

    I know it feels like nobody cares except you, but Somebody DOES care. And that Somebody is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, age to age still the same. Jehovah, Yahweh, the great God of the universe. He is God, and He is your Father, and He cares. He loves you, and He knows, and He gets it, and He knows and He knows and He knows.

    I can’t say that enough. God knows.

    He knows every tear you’ve cried. He sees the battle raging hot. He sees every circumstance, including all the ones you can’t see.

    And you know what He says about it? This:

    “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands” (Psalm 138:8).

    and this:

    “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

    and this:

    “Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” (Hebrews 13:5 AMP).

    2. “Look up.”

    It’s way too easy to keep our eyes on our circumstances, on people, or on our frustrations. But taking our eyes off Jesus is a proven way (thank you, apostle Peter) to sink into the waves of despair.

    If you are going to get through this storm–which you are–you MUST look up.

    So look up, precious one. Look up. Look to Jesus. Look to the One who loves you. Look to the One who bore your sins in His own body on the tree. Look to this One who didn’t stop there, but who ever lives to make intercession for you.

    Jesus is the only One who can get you through this. That’s why Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us this:

    “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

    Looking unto Jesus. Looking unto Jesus. Looking unto Jesus.

    Beloved, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. I know you’re hurting. I know. I get it. But Jesus is the only Solution. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And only by looking at Him can we make our way through anything with victory.

    Related: Get my mp3 teaching on Isaiah 53 to help you keep your eyes on Jesus. It’s called “Behold the Lamb of God,” and it contains 10 things Jesus purchased for you with His suffering.

    3. “Praise Me.”

    God has been telling me to praise Him even when I don’t feel like it. Praise is such a beautiful thing. It pulls our attention off our circumstances and places our focus on Jesus, where it belongs. Praise is like a magnet that draws us to Christ.

    Did you get that? It’s important:

    Praise is like a magnet that draws us to Christ.

    So beloved one, whatever you may be going through, begin right now to praise God:

    • Praise Him for His goodness, for His mercy, for His mighty works, for who He is.
    • Praise Him for everything He’s done and everything He’s going to do.
    • Praise Him just because He’s worthy to be praised.

    And as you do, you will change. God will continue to work out your circumstances in His time, but praise changes you right now. And the amount of change really corresponds to the amount of praise.

    Little praise = little change.

    Lots of praise = lots of change.

    Whatever you need, God knows. He is fully aware, and He has it all under control.

    Jesus said, in the Sermon on the Mount, that God even knows everything you need before you ask Him:

    “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

    But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:31-14).

    So yes, we should still ask, but we should NOT worry … because Papa already knows. He knows all about it. And you can trust Him; so go ahead and praise Him now.

    • Praise Him in the middle of whatever you’re going through.
    • Praise Him no matter what the circumstance.
    • Praise Him whether you feel like it or not.

    And if you do, you will find yourself changing right along with the circumstances as He works everything out for your good.

    Does this word encourage your heart today? If so, please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!

    Image courtesy of Randen Pederson on Flickr via Creative Commons license. Image has been cropped and graphics added.

    18 Comments

    1. Laurna Tallman says:

      Thanks for this important reminder, Jamie. Yes, it’s been a long, rough road. Yes, the visions God has given me of where He is leading have kept me going. But in the day-to-day struggle with those around me who are depressed, volatile, frightened, impaired, exhausted, and disabled, I forget to praise God and find myself slipping into those same types of behavior. This message speaks to me today.

      1. I’m so glad it encouraged you, Laurna! Praising God with you. 🙂 Thank you for reading and sharing.

    2. Rafael-Olivier Somma says:

      Not so long ago I thought that I was the only one who was hurting and suffering. Through this blog and life’s experiences I’ve realized that we are a hell of a lot of people who sometimes can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. In a way it shows that all humans are linked by sadness and suffering but also by Love and Joy.

    3. Completely speaks to me so timely today. Wow God you keep doing that 🙂

      1. Rafael-Olivier Somma says:

        To me also it’s often timely. Sometimes I think or feel certain things and pop, Jamie touches the subject. Praise the Lord!

        1. Hi Rafael-Olivier. You are definitely not alone, but praise God, there’s a fourth Man standing in the fire with you, and His name is Jesus Christ! He is with you always, even to the end of the world.

    4. This is exactly what I needed to hear right now. I have been going through a very difficult situation that seems to only be getting worse and have gotten very discouraged. Having been through difficulties in the past, I know God is in control and will take care of me…in my head. Today, my heart is praising Him, in the peace that surpases all understanding. Thank you.

      1. Thank you for letting me know, Ruth Ann. I just prayed for you. May our Papa continue to lift you up as He works this situation out for your good!
        Thank you for reading!

    5. Thank you so much for the words of encouragement, straight from HIS mouth through you to me.. I was feeling so down and overwhelmed with my current challenges, that reading this brought me to tears of hope knowing that at that right moment HE knew that I needed those words!! So thank you again for being a willing vessel.

      1. Hi Kay, I’m so sorry you’ve been feeling down, but I praise God with you that He encouraged you through this word! Thank You Jesus! 🙂
        Thank you for reading!

    6. Hi Jamie…I thank you for your obedience in posting this timely word! I have been struggling to keep my head above the water for some time now. There are many obstacles in my path and yet I know that there is not anything there that didn’t first come through God’s Hands to me….so I know I can do it with Jesus. My biggest struggle and weariness is in praying for a spiritually mis-matched mate of 29 years! God will give me a bit of a vision to keep me going and I am learning this journey is more about me than it is about my husband. I am finally getting that I think. Anyhow, thank you for your wisdom and for sharing your heart!! It has encouraged me to keep trusting God for the outcome, to keep looking up, and most importantly of all to continually PRAISE HIM! He is so worthy of our praise and adoration of all we have and all we are….HE IS WORTHY!

      1. Hi Pamela. Thanks for sharing. May God give you the grace to continue praying for and loving your spouse as Christ would! May you be continually strengthened and encouraged. And thank you for reading my blog!

    7. Thanks!! Needed that so much right now!

    8. Sally Hahn says:

      Greetings Jamie, Bless you for witnessing His word! Since signing up to receive the emails, I will go thru all my email’s, delete the ones I didn’t want to read and would save your emails , for read later. I am guilty of having not read any in months…well, I felt drawn to read it today. I live a daily life of chronic pain and suffering from a myriad of chronic illnesses. Twenty three years of 24/7 pain and the last ten years of living with my family! Ten years of living in a basement, trying not to lose my faith. Hold on tightly too the hand of Jesus and praying for a way out of here! My health has declined, mentally ill with manic depression and anxiety, while the negativity, and stress-related issues…so tired of hurting! I have been trying to find help so I can move into a house of my own. I have been awake for 72hrs, all because I am unable to sleep cause my pain prevents me sleeping. I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, spinal stenosis, sciatica, scoliosis, migraines, and having no support from family or friends, I feel so alone…even though I know that I am not. I’m on Social Security Disability and even though I have pain medication, there’s too many days when it’s as if I had not taken anything. I find myself angry with my family and friends, even members of my Church!!! Asking why not one person can advocate for me, to the Agencies who are able to help people with disabilities improve their living situation. Yet, when I am able to do research on who to call or write…the one thing that I have heard is you should have an advocate to speak with the authorities in charge! How can I find the peace, I so desperately seek , from Jesus when He remains silent??? I feel at times, I am not worth the space I take up on earth! I pray and praise God for all He has done and continues to do for me…I am a survivor, but I have been so tired and worn-out lately. Do you have any suggestions on where I can find someone who is willing to help me out of where I am staying at the moment? Thanks for listening and thanks for sharing His Words. God bless you and your family and friends.

      1. Hi Sally,
        I’m sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I got your comment right away, but haven’t been able to reply to anything in a couple of weeks. Things have been very hectic but I have been praying for you.
        First, regarding advocacy, the best you can ever get is the Holy Spirit. He’s on the job 24/7 and He is amazing at His job. You might be encouraged by reading this post: Ask The Holy Spirit To Advocate For You.
        Also, you might want to try calling your local United Way and see if they can recommend services in your area that might help with your living situation. I am not sure if they can help, but in my area, the UW does help with things like that.
        I am sorry you’re going through such a tough situation. Papa God loves you very much, and it’s not His will for you to suffer. Jesus paid the price for you to walk in complete power, healing, and victory in every area. I pray Papa would guide and direct your steps as you walk through this, so you can experience everything Jesus purchased for you with His blood. And as you take practical steps that He shows you, I pray you’d sense His love, affection, and His affirmation of your obedience. It may seem like a lot, but just take one step at a time, dear sister. One step at a time will get you there. Papa will help you.
        Blessings to you. I will continue to pray for you. Thank you for reading my blog.
        Love in Christ,
        Jamie

    9. WOW……it’s as if Daddy God was speaking to me, to my situation. This has been a HARD Summer with so many trials, not all my own. My momma is such a beautiful person inside and out and she has suffered my whole life just seems like one trial after another. Her husband and my father is an alcoholic. She’s had a hard marriage and he’s been very bitter and anger. As if living with an alcoholic and all the horror that comes with that wasn’t enough, my dad has isolated himself and fallen for the whispers of the enemy. He’s done something so horrible and ended in jail. She’s not been able to speak to him for the 3 weeks his been in jail and it’s so unbelievable that we are where we are as a family. Feels
      Ike a nightmare and we are waiting to wake up, but it’s REAL and unbearable and overwhelming… Your post encouraged me and I will share with my momma and sister. We know Daddy God is in control, just so hard waiting… So scary… I will praise Him and thank Him for He is worthy and great. I thank Him for your blog and you.

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