So every time my husband has mentioned the idea of watching Star Wars, I would call him a nerd. I never made it a point to look into the movies or even cared to watch them. However, yesterday Stephen was watching one of the many. I finally sat down and paid attention to it. At first, I focused on the quality of the movie, the colors, clarity, etc. Then on to how well the actors played their roles. 

One scene that caught my attention was when some older guy, I don’t know his name, was fighting Dark Vader; I only know his name because I have seen people dress like him. In the scene, the Older gentleman died intentionally!!! Yet, his voice was still heard. When I asked my husband what was going on, he said that the man would get stronger each time he died. It wasn’t until this morning that his statement hit me like a ton of bricks. 

See, I have been in spiritual warfare for what seems like a long time now. And what I know to be true is God is intentionally teaching us during times of difficulty. When believers go through hard times, we seek after God more. He meets us in that seeking. 

In this time of testing my faith, I have been convicted for things about myself that I wouldn’t have learned without the many trials and more new things about God. However, when I am in spiritual warfare, I can feel many different things that can cause me to want to bend and even break. But I know God is faithful. I realized that we intentionally DIE to ourselves in those moments and allow Christ to strengthen us for the battle. 

Battles will come, but we can not fight them in our strength, and we are not supposed to. We allow God to fight for us. He never loses. 

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary, I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music. Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalms 27:1-14 NLT