The War Inside

It's easy to figure out what war looks like by watching the evening news these days. We see horrifying images, from Ukraine and Israel, but most of us have no idea what a war is REALLY like.

Those who have experienced war know only too well what it is truly like. Unimaginable evil, excruciating pain and suffering. Both physical and mental.

However, there IS a battle that wages within each one of us. That is the personal war we wage within ourselves every single day. The war.... inside.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight." - James 4:1-2

A lot of people struggle just to break even in their fight against evil. People succumb to addictions and suicides every day. People need help. Guidance. And love.

There are counseling organizations and support groups that try to help. Some people try to struggle through on their own. But no one can help like Jesus can.

James goes on to tell us this in verse three of the text above.

"And when you do ask you do not receive because you ask with the wrong motives." - James 4:3

Our first prayer should be a prayer of submission, not a prayer for removal from a situation. We should acknowledge God for who He is in our lives, THEN make our requests.

Remember the Lord's prayer? First comes acknowledgement....

"Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be they name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

THEN comes the request....

"Give us this day our daily bread...."

Do you remember when Jesus healed people in the Bible? His healing was often accompanied by words similar to these:

"Your faith has made you well."

The most difficult of wars are often won with the help of the most powerful of allies. You can't do any better than to have God on your side.

The War Inside - Switchfoot