I was in a world of my self-created darkness. Even the most everyday activities were slow and painful while recovering from my second C-section. Having hiked all over the NICU the previous week, my pain had me feeling helpless. My thoughts went from wondering if I could ever go through it again to wondering if I’d even make it out “back to normal” from this experience. Then a friend brought dinner.
I had no idea she had had five (yes, five) C-sections and was full of stories: stories of trouble and complications but stories of hope that each ended with overcoming. “In this world you will have trouble.” These words from John 16:33 are the pit-in-your-stomach reminder we’d rather skim in the Word. But what if I told you this kind of trouble isn’t what you think? The word used for trouble here in the original Greek is “thlipsis,” which is defined in Strong’s Concordance as “a narrow place that hems someone in.” It’s the moments when you see no way out by your own strength. It’s the moments you feel the pressure of helplessness. In these moments is when God reminds us “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Ironically, we are not meant to fight trouble. These narrow places are where God hems us in, reminds us of His power, builds testimony and more. Fighting to not have trouble is often a spiritual “spinning our wheels.” We waste valuable time and energy when we fight what we’re never meant to fight. The Bible tells us exactly what our battle is and isn’t against. There’s a whole list of things (just like trouble) that we aren’t meant to fight. Join me as we dissect each one so that you can stop fighting the wrong battles! Learn the full list on the episode “Stop Fighting the Wrong Battles” on Charisma Podcast Network’s “Hear God EveryDay with Sara Whitten.” {eoa}
Sara Whitten is an author, speaker, equipper and founder of Arrows of Zion Ministry (arrowsofzion.com). She and her husband are pastors for the youth of Impact Christian Fellowship in Kerrville, Texas. Sara is a prophetic writer that is featured on Elijah List, Spirit Fuel, Charisma and more. She hosts Hear God Everyday on Charisma Podcast Network, a podcast with tools to help amplify the voice of God amidst the noise of everyday life. Sara co-founded One Spark International, an organization that sponsors Bible-based training and education in unreached and restricted nations in order to see the gospel reach all people groups. She is also an active part of groups that train and invest in professionals wanting to use their businesses or marketplace skills to transform unreached nations areas for the kingdom. You can connect with Sara on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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