Introduction
The Lord God is very much aware of the challenges that confront His children. Though He has His own time and plans to redeem them from those challenges, they need to be conversant with His will about those challenges. In every situation, God gives clear instructions about how it ought to be handled.
The mind as the battle field
In all the battles that the Israelites fought from Egypt to the promised land, the Lord had to deal with the minds of His people to prepare them psychologically for victory. By implication, men fight first in the mind before the real battle begins. The mind, therefore, must be renewed (Rom 12:1-2), to condition it for the anticipated victory.
Again, believers mostly focus on their challenges and the strength of the enemy instead of focusing on the greatness of their God. It is not advisable to concentrate on what the enemy could do and be scared or affrighted, for the LORD thy God is with you as a mighty and terrible God (Deut 7:21).
Also, what the Lord God has done for you in the past should serve as a remembrancer to you that you shall surely be delivered from the current or impending challenges. The Israelites were encouraged to lean on what the Lord God did for them while they were in Egypt. It is written “That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land” (Jdg 6:8-9). If the Lord has done it before, then be certain that He is working on your circumstances to bring you the expected victory in due course. Remember that if the Lord gave you Jesus Christ, His only beloved Son, for your salvation, then He is more than willing to help you out of your deplorable circumstances.
Appropriating future promises by faith is another sure way of focusing on the greatness of God. Moses assured the old church that “So shall the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.” Understand that the battle is the Lord´s (1Sa 17:47), so be assured that complete victory is coming your way.
Confronting the challenge
Though God has promised Victory for His children, He wants them to confront their enemies strategically to get the victory (Deut 7:23). If you are your own enemy, confront yourself and challenge yourself to rise and forge on. God´s strategy for Israel was to fight their enemies little by little because His children could not fight or destroy all of them at once (Deut 7:22-23). Our struggles in life would not end suddenly, but the Lord God would allow that which we can bear to confront us in piece meal so that the challenges do not become numerous and scary to us (read 1Co 10:13).
In confronting life challenges remember that attitudes play an important role in determining success over victory over the enemies. Moses encourages his people not to be negatively minded towards the promises of God and not to be fearful (Deut 7:17). He tells the people that “God will deliver their enemies over to them, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed” (Deut7:23). With the right attitude, the Lord God would bring the spirit of defeat upon your enemies if you remove all potential barriers to your progress (Deut 7:25-26).
Finally, when you are dumbfounded and do not know what to do in difficult times, ask God of wisdom and it would be granted you (Jas 1: 5). God´s guidance must be sought where wisdom is not readily available to you.
Conclusion
The man should always be prepared for life challenges but it ought to be conditioned for victory through Christ Jesus. Challenges must be confronted according to the wisdom and the leadings of God, and they need to tackled strategically as they come.
Prayer: May the Lord God inflict your enemies with the spirit of discouragement and bring you victory over all your challenges in life. In Jesus´ name. AMEN!