Counselor's Corner: Get Back Up After You Have Been Knocked Down

If you have watched a boxing match and noticed when one of the opponents throws a punch that takes their opponent down to the ground the referee begins to count to see if the fighter will get back in the fight. There are times the bruised and wounded fighter stays down and the fight is finished, and then there are times a fighter who can’t even see out of their eyes because of the blood and swollenness gets up and back in the fight.

Perhaps you feel like the fighter who has been in a really long match and has gone down at of sear exhaustion. You may have thought about staying down because you do not know how you will possibly get back up and fight again with little strength. If you have been in a spiritual fight for any length of time you understand battle fatigue can happen. Battle fatigue is fighting the same “war” over and over again but not gaining any ground, that is exhausting. This is exactly where the enemy wants the saints-worn-out from the same fights.

The enemy will continue to use the same “fight” over and over hoping that you will get so fatigued from the fight you will stop fighting.

Reflect: Are you fighting a ‘fight” you are not supposed to fight and that is why you are worn-out? Have you been knocked down by the repeated blows that you just might stop fighting? What do you or who do you need to let go of and let God take over the fight?

God did not intend for us to engage in battles that we could never overcome. If you have been fighting the same battles for years, and you are tired from how you get defeated each time-step back and ask God, “Is this my battle or your battle?” God does not give you battles to lose over and over again.

If you are “down for the count,” pull away from your battles and seek the Lord. If you don’t know what to pray anymore, just sit still before God and allow Him to speak to you. Let God refresh and restore you in your quiet time. Allow God to bandage your wounds before you get back up and get back in the fight. It is possible that when you seek God, He may show you the fight that you keep fighting is not your fight and to get up and go another way.