“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV
We all have battles. Sometimes they’re small, and sometimes they’re big. But every single day, we have little choices bombarding our brains. Some of them we don’t even think about, and habits take over to help us perform. I’ve created the habit of reading my Bible before my feet touch the ground in the morning. I refuse to miss it. I need the perspective throughout my day. I need the truths to guide me. I’m dependent on my Father. Without him, I’ve learned that I cannot do anything well.
That all sounds great--and it is a really good habit--except a few weeks ago, I found that the words and truth weren’t penetrating my fearful heart. I woke up thinking “I can’t do this. I don’t want to do this.” I read my Bible, and then my toddler brain took over and I had to force my feet to move. I’m embarrassed to say that I was late to work that day and the next day too. I came home Friday night, sat in a chair, and let the fear flood over me.
You see, my family has been fighting a big battle for a long time. We are coming up on two years of fighting this battle. Sometimes, out of seemingly nowhere, I can let fear of the future steal my today.
I’m just not strong enough on my own to deal with everything that comes my way. This life isn’t a sprint. Sure, there are still moments when I need to sprint, but that marathon problem is still looming. It’s still there. I’m running my race, but sometimes I just want to sit down mid-stride. Sometimes my own faith and obedience isn’t enough and I need to be propped up much like Moses had someone to hold his hands up.
“Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. But Moses’ hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle.” Exodus 17:10-13 MSG
Sometimes I need someone to hold my hands up, so I ask for help. Yes, I do the work of reading, praying, and praising God myself, but I also humbly tell my inner circle of people that I need my hands held up in prayer again because I’m weary. And guess what? I have some people who do just that. I have a few good friends who take the time to listen to my heartache again, and then they go to the Father on my behalf.
Satan wants me to think, “I’m too much. I’m all alone. I should be quiet. I should be embarrassed. I should quit.” But, I’m on a team, and when my faith feels feeble, they stand in the gap. They throw some living water my way and encourage me to put my feet back on the ground.
Ultimately, my story isn’t even really about me. My battles aren’t about me. When my friends pray, it isn’t about them. It’s all about our Father and His victory in our lives. Regardless of the daily sprints or life marathons, He’s in all of it. When I forget that, I choose to be humble. I do the work. I invite my friends to hold up my hands when I’m weary.
“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10 MSG
In His love,
Leah Milligan
Changed Women's Ministry
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