WHERE THE BATTLE IS WON
“That’s enough! – That’s good enough! – You can stop now!” I want to listen, but I don’t… Something inside me pushes me. Something won’t let me stop even though I desperately want to. I hear the voice again, “It’s not gonna make a difference, just stop already!” I rarely listen to that voice inside my head. I press on…
From somewhere within the other side doesn’t argue – It doesn’t even answer… It just keeps pressing on through anguish, sometimes physical, sometimes mental, but the side where the battle is won never retreats, never surrenders, even when he should.
We all have struggles within… That’s where our battles are won or lost; from the inside. Nothing happens on the outside of significance without the resolve from the inside.
Even menial things can become a struggle.
I was doing intervals on the stationary bike; twenty-seconds as hard I could go and then a ten-second rest. I usually do five-minute sets, but that day I decided I’d kick it up to six-minute sets. On my third six-minute set, my quads, glutes, and lungs were on fire, they had been for most of the time. I was beginning to be a little light-headed when I heard the voice.
It was the same voice I’ve ignored my whole life… It’s the voice of reason. But the voice of reason if entertained too often, even if over the small things in life, begins to take hold and begins to influence the big things, the greater things we were born to do.
It’s that silent side of our soul that brings the quiet strength. Some people call it stubbornness, that’s likely the case sometimes, but it’s that unspoken voice that doesn’t talk… it acts. It drives us to action. It is the facilitator of our perseverance… It is the winner of the internal battle inside our mind and proves our desire from without.
This is the thing inside designed, created, and inserted into us by God himself. Our actions declare our strength, the strength written of in Isaiah, describing the people who belong to God. It is that quiet strength that stands against the world for those born without it.
It is a gift… and like all gifts can be misused and abused. Somewhere in the supernatural creation of our mind, God also gave us wisdom to stand and speak up in our mind to the timid voice of reason and the quiet strength of that unyielding determination that knows no limits.
Wisdom speaks for God and when ignored, comes with uncomfortable consequences.
All things will submit to God one way or another someday, including the strength of our mind that God owns to begin with. Go and do what it is that reason tells you can’t be done, but listen to wisdom…
You’ll know it when you hear it…
It is the voice of God…
bill (cycleguy)
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 @ 3:09 am
I will admit I struggle with hearing the voice of God most of the time. Unsure it is His or mine. Sometimes closed off to hearing it. I push on in my own strength and then wonder why the effort wasn’t blessed or more fulfilling. “God, help me to hear your voice more clearly.”
Floyd
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 @ 6:47 am
Yes, I’m with you, Bill. I just miss the good old fashioned determination that seems to be slowly disappearing. Like your bike event. With more people in the world, shouldn’t those things be growing at the same rate? The next generation is sitting in front of a TV or computer playing a biking game with their thumbs…
tcavey
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 @ 8:22 am
I read your post with a heavy heart today…I’m grieving for my nation. But your post speaks encouraging words to me. Greater is He in me than he who is in the world!
It goes back to the book of James…faith, without actions is dead.
When God speaks, we should do it. Even if it goes against the grain, even if it doesn’t make sense. There’s power if following Christ over the voice of reason.
Reminds me of the saying, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”. Good intentions or voice of reason…same difference. We can logic our way completely away from God.
Instead we must press on. That inner battle within us, telling us to keep going. Really there’s no other way. We have to keep going. Quitting isn’t an option. At least not for me. And I’m sure not for you either.
God bless.
Floyd
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 @ 5:11 pm
Nice… Well said, TC. Quitting is definitely not an option. God didn’t make us that way. We have His spirit in us… Victory is inevitable, whenever it happens. Thanks, TC. Your words encouraged me as well.
April
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 @ 10:12 am
I think we all struggle to hear the voice of God. I know I do. It’s the fight between our flesh and our spirit man. I know very few people who hear it more often than not and that’s because they are on their knees daily.
Floyd
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 @ 5:13 pm
Great point, April. Seeking our Father is the only way to find wisdom in this life. It is a fight, but our fellowship is definitely a gift from God.
Jason Stasyszen
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 @ 1:43 pm
Human reason always falls short, but divine wisdom always prevails. It may look dark for a time, but we can hold on to Him. His thoughts and ways are higher than our human thoughts and ways. Thankfully, Paul lets us know we have the mind of Christ so we’re subject to those lowly, earthly thoughts any longer. Pressing on and moving forward–into His glory and purpose for us! Good reminder, Floyd. Thank you.
Floyd
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 @ 5:15 pm
Thanks, Jason. It is about His glory and purpose for all of us. When we adopt that mindset His voice within gets stronger as we do even realizing our weakness.
Hazel Moon
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 @ 6:21 pm
I was sad this morning and although not depressed, was discouraged regarding the election results. I decided to play a computer game to relax my mind and thing on other things. Then I heard it – the voice, except it was singing. This is what I heard:
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight.
This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize,
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”
God has a way, and we must join together in intercessary prayer and repent for our nation and its leaders. May God touch wicked hearts and turn them around for his glory.
Floyd
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 7:03 am
Wow, Hazel… I’m speechless… This is the moving of the Holy Spirit! Thank you for your wise and strong heart. Yes, God will be lifted as we come together in this sweet our of prayer. His will be done. Thanks a ton, my friend. Beautiful…
Ngina Otiende
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 7:50 am
“Wisdom speaks for God and when ignored, comes with uncomfortable consequences.” Great insights Floyd. I am signed up for ‘wisdom class’ for life :). Thanks for this reminder this morning, i needed it.
Floyd
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 4:52 pm
Thanks, Ngina. I’m with you in the wisdom class. If we end up sitting together in the back row, we might end up talking way too much… We’ll end up missing something in class and failing a test!
I’d say we all need a reminder, Ngina. I know I do…
Betty Draper
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 8:42 am
Your post just encouraged me today to continue to strive to be a wise hearted woman. All the knowledge in the world is useless without the wisdom to use that knowledge. I will be behind Ngina in the line to sign up for “wisdom classes”. Good post brother.
Floyd
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 4:54 pm
Thanks, Betty! The back row of that wisdom class is gonna be full of trouble makers! When I was younger I couldn’t grasp the words of Solomon regarding wisdom… Now I get it… just wish I had more of it!
Voni Harris
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 11:00 am
It takes an awfully soft heart to listen to that Voice calling us to submission!
Floyd
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 4:56 pm
Great point, Voni. Maybe the softened heart is just tenderized by all the mistakes leading up to this point? That Voice in us is true peace and joy when we can find our submission.
Nancy
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 11:40 am
The “Voice” that kept rising up in me was this…”The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong…”
That VOICE gets stronger as we dwell in The Almighty Word.
Many are the plans int he mind of a man, but its the wisdom of the Lord that will ultimately stand. ( scripture)
Otherwise, it’s the GIGO effect! “Garbage In, Garbage Out!
The righteous man may find himself in many troubles, but Like Daniel, God can protect us on the outside, from within.
Love your musing!!! And your ability to listen, hear and be guided by God!
Floyd
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 4:58 pm
Thanks, Nancy. You never fail to deepen the lesson from God. His “Voice” looks a lot like a comment from you! I always appreciate the wisdom that He placed in you. It is a gift to be blessed by those words.
Dan Black
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 1:20 pm
I think everyone can struggle to hear God’s voice due to the sinful nature inside of us. We have to strive to seek and serve God on a daily basis and be open to hearing His voice. Great post!
Floyd
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 4:59 pm
Sad but true, Dan. The striving is the thing that I think our Father delights in. Thanks for the insight, Dan.
Diane
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 3:29 pm
Thanks for encouragement, Coach!
Floyd
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 5:01 pm
Your welcome, Diane. And thanks to you for stopping by and encouraging me as well. I’d say we make pretty good teammates! Honored to be on your side!
Diane
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 6:14 pm
Ok, Coach, now you have me in tears..have you been easedropping on my convos with The LORD?
I was just telling Him this week, that I’ve never been on a team, and I have no idea what it is like to have teammates…
Something I feel I’ve missed out on in my life.
So, your words touched me deeply. Thank you, Floyd. Excuse me while I go wipe my tears…
Floyd
Thursday, November 8, 2012 @ 9:27 pm
Diane! Isn’t it amazing that God directs the hearts and minds of His children! You are more than my sister in Christ… We are indeed teammates… and you are a one of the people that has always been the most cherished of teammates. I’m truly honored to be on the same side as you. We, my sister, have always been on the same team. Striving for the same goals with the same heart. It is the team with honor. Thank you for sharing your heart that is truly a gift from God. With teammates like you, how could we ever lose?