Battles of Grief
Type of Battle
The battles we tend to focus on are the ones that involve our flesh, but this is far from what is really happening. Feeling in our hearts the love of God and knowing how much He has given us does not change the fact that we face battles. The battles I speak of are not the type where we sharpen our swords or load our weapons. The battles we face are spiritual battles. They encircle our inner being seeking a crack in the armor the Holy spirit has provided. Battles that cannot be seen or heard by others but rage none the less within the deepest recesses of our hearts and minds.
Type of Failure
Doubt in God, Doubt in Beliefs
These battles don’t require the enemy to totally destroy us. The enemies victory can be attained by getting us (Christians) to question everything we know to be true. Fooling us into questioning our faith and victory in Jesus Christ for only a moment. His battle plan consist of lies so convincing that letting our guard down for a second will be detrimental and even learned Christians would be fooled. Thankfully the Holy Spirit indwells who we are to the very core of our being. This ultimately giving us seamless protection from the enemy. During these battles we learn to lean more fully on His leading while crying out Abba Father.
Type of Family
This cry to our adoptive Father is with the full knowledge that we are joint heirs in God’s family through Jesus Christ our savior. A family member with all the rights of any other child that was born into the family. Like Christ we can fully call upon our Father when in need and He will be there. Take a look at Romans 8:12-17. Note we can fight our battles no matter the attack method while being assured of victory.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:12-17
ENTRY INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD (Romans 8:12-17)
…. what Paul is thinking of. He uses still another picture from Roman adoption. He says that God’s spirit witnesses with our spirit that we really are his children. The adoption ceremony was carried out in the presence of seven witnesses. Now, suppose the adopting father died and there was some dispute about the right of the adopted son to inherit, one or more of the seven witnesses stepped forward and swore that the adoption was genuine. Thus the right of the adopted person was guaranteed and he entered into his inheritance. So, Paul is saying, it is the Holy Spirit himself who is the witness to our adoption into the family of God.
We see then that every step of Roman adoption was meaningful in the mind of Paul when he transferred the picture to our adoption into the family of God. Once we were in the absolute control of our own sinful human nature; but God, in his mercy, has brought us into his absolute possession. The old life has no more rights over us; God has an absolute right. The past is cancelled and its debts are wiped out; we begin a new life with God and become heirs of all his riches. If that is so, we become joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, God’s own Son. That which Christ inherits, we also inherit. If Christ had to suffer, we also inherit that suffering; but if Christ was raised to life and glory, we also inherit that life and glory.
It was Paul’s picture that when a man became a Christian he entered into the very family of God. He did nothing to deserve it; God, the great Father, in his amazing love and mercy, has taken the lost, helpless, poverty-stricken, debt-laden sinner and adopted him into his own family, so that the debts are cancelled and the glory inherited. -Barclay’s Daily Study Bible
We do not have to fear the battles or attacks that are against us spiritually or physically. We need only remember we are a member of the family that is victorious. We are fully heirs with Christ in suffering as well as His kingdom. Battles will rage until that day we are face to face with the King. Not only are we heirs but Abba father means more than heirs it indicates a true connected and caring relationship for the one who loves and cares for us.
- In Scripture there are many different names used to describe God. While all the names of God are important in many ways, the name “Abba Father” is one of the most significant names of God in understanding how He relates to people. The word Abba is an Aramaic word that means “Father.” It was a common term that expressed affection and confidence and trust. Abba signifies the close, intimate relationship of a father and his child, as well as the childlike trust that a young child puts in his “daddy.” Abba is always followed by the word Father in Scripture, and the phrase is found in three passages. In Mark 14:36, Jesus addresses His Father as “Abba, Father” in His prayer in Gethsemane. In Romans 8:15, “Abba, Father” is mentioned in relation to the Spirit’s work of adoption that makes us God’s children and heirs with Christ. In Galatians 4:6, again in the context of adoption, the Spirit in our hearts cries out, “Abba, Father.” Together, the terms Abba and Father doubly emphasize the fatherhood of God. In two different languages, we are assured of God’s care for His children. -Gotquestions.org
ABBA Father
Note how Abba shows the close intimate relationship of the Father to His child. Father indicates trust a child places in the Father. During our battles we must trust fully in our father that cares for us and have faith we can cry out in our prayers: Abba Father. Words used in the New Testament as a testimony of the relationship we have through Christ to the Father. The adoptive relationship spoken of through the crying of Abba Father is not an add on to who we are as some may live but is the indication of a new creature. A realization that the very heart beat that erupts within us supplying life-giving blood to this fleshly body is not the only blood supply we need. As adopted heirs we now associate with true eternal life through Christ the ultimate life-giving flow that was shed on Calvary. The very blood that allows us to fight these battles not in the physical but in the spiritual realm and come away victorious.
As any soldier we come home from the battle in prayer and study longing for the comfort and rest that only God provides. Along with this reassurance we come to know the battle is not in vain. Even if and when we feel defeated or lonely.
A Saints Battle Plan
Jenna fought the earthly battle with a desire to glorify God. When Jenna was tired and hurting with no fleshly comfort feeling defeated was not an option. She knew the one that gives refreshment. During Jenna’s fleshly hurt there was a comfort that she continued to point out. Not only for us but for everyone she encountered. This comfort is something that is indescribable unless experienced. Comfort and peace that only God can provide. Understanding how this peace apprehends the heart is spiritual.
As Jenna approached her last days she got to see our Lord victorious. Opening her eyes to Christ and seeing His longing for His children (us and her) to come to His side for everlasting comfort. Comfort that only He can provide, that only He knows, and that in the end will be worth it. No matter the battle you currently face. Know it is worth staying faithful. Our faithfulness will be redeemed for the glory of God when His time. In that day we will see all that is real and all that is hidden by the vague knowledge and shortcomings of this flesh. The spiritual realms that are currently shielded from view will come into sight and we will have full enjoyment of Christ.
Jenna has surpassed the flesh and now lives in this righteous understanding of what everything means. Jenna will never again be overshadowed by death, hell, or the spiritual battles that rage within all that serve God. To die is gain for the Christian and to suffer for the glory of Jesus Christ is proof we are joint heirs and already victorious. Continue in faith and know victory is near.