Angela Myers, Sucre, Bolivia[/caption]
When I think of the word " victory", my mind goes to these two verses: Romans 8:37 "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." And Hebrews 10:39 "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." I also think of the book "Victory Over the Darkness" by Neil T. Anderson. But instead of the normal blog post, I'd like to just list some things that came to mind (I added an occasional book or verse that has helped me, although there are endless references and resources). Some of these have been very hard for me to learn and to accept; most I struggle with often, but in the end I have to trust that I have victory even if I can't see it.
So what is victory to me?
It is finding confidence in who I am in Christ ("Victory Over the Darkness" is a good book for this and focuses a lot on what you find in Ephesians).
It is being able to forgive others and myself ("Praying the Word of God" by Beth Moore).
It is being at peace with who I am and where God has put me.
It is being able to say "yes" and say "no" ("Boundaries" by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend).
It is resting and enjoying God without feeling guilty about not "doing" something ("Rest of God" by Mark Buchanan).
It is getting up and going forward after every failure or fall (Proverbs 24:16).
It is not being ok with my sins and not giving up the fight with them (Hebrews 12:3-4)
It is not beating myself up for not being perfect.
It is crying out to God with complete sincerity of what I feel (Psalms).
It is walking with God even though at times I want to give up.
It is receiving grace and mercy, not just giving it ("What's So Amazing About Grace" by Philip Yancey and "The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning)
It is not letting fear win in the end.
It is trust and hope even when I cannot believe and there are no possibilities (Romans 4:20-21).
It is continuing...questioning....growing.
It is loving God and others just a little bit more than I did before.
It is putting one foot in front of the other and knowing that, even though the change might be small, I'm not the same person I was... I am closer to God and He is changing me.
It is letting God carry me, fight for me, love me, cherish me, pursue me.
Every time I do something like this I am victorious. I am victorious even though I do not do all of what I know I should, even though I do not do it everyday, even though I can only do it halfheartedly. I am victorious because I have God and that is who He made me and how He calls me. I am victorious because when I am weak, He makes me strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
God bless and may you find rest and hope in Him.