Trust and Faith · God’s Promises

Who said you can’t? Leave defeat behind!

6 min read, approximately

2 Corinthians 13:5 (Defeat)
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Or do you not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you fail the test?”

We hear more and more people saying, “I don’t think it’s possible”, “There is no reason to try”, “I have no chance”, “Everything is already lost”… in short, “I can’t”.
Why do we choose this state of defeat? Worse still, why do we feel defeated before we have even begun to try?
The Bible says,

“Whoever guards his mouth guards his soul, but whoever opens his lips too freely will face calamity.” (Proverbs 13:3)

We can blame society, tradition, culture, friends, family, ancestors, parents, the government, the laws… so many things we could hide behind. But the reality is:

“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” (Proverbs 21:23)

We have bound ourselves with defeat!

What can we do to be free from this state of defeat?

“Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him: If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

3 aspects…

\1. Knowing and remaining in God’s Word!

To stop being slaves to defeat, we certainly need to fill ourselves with reasons to move forward, and God’s Word has the reasons we need and far more than we imagine! Jesus himself said,

“… It is written: A person shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

For anyone who lacks focus, the Bible is the remedy! Through it we learn that we have been freed from every kind of slavery that tormented us:

“Stand firm, then, in the freedom with which Christ set us free, and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

And that no barriers can stand in our way if we are in Christ, because

“I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

\2. Learning and believing God’s Word!

To leave the state of defeat behind, it is vital that we learn and believe the promises in God’s Word!

“He said to them: Why are you afraid, you of little faith? Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. The men marveled, saying: What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:26-27)

By learning and believing God’s Word, we will keep a clear and unwavering focus, because we are confident that our Lord Jesus is in the boat!

\3. Following Jesus!

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with confidence, to receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

“Jesus said to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

How would we feel if someone came and told us he would help us leave defeat behind, that we should be calm because he knows the right way, and that we should not worry because he would take the helm for us? This is no joke… By following Jesus, we understand that Jesus longs to remove all the burdens and weariness defeat has left us with:

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls; for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

8 reasons why we can

We can because:

\1. God is with us!

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not lose heart, for I am your God who strengthens you. I will always help you; I will always uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

\2. God encourages us!

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you will be with me; your rod and your staff will comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4)

\3. God has prepared the best for us!

“If you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him?” (Matthew 7:11)

\4. With God it is possible!

“Jesus looked at them and said: For people this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

\5. God keeps us safe!

“What, then, shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

\6. God made us strong and courageous to take action!

“See, I command you to be strong and courageous; do not fear or lose heart, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

\7. We have his Holy Spirit!

“Then he answered and spoke to me, saying: This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by an army, nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)

\8. If we grow tired, God renews our strength!

“But those who wait for the LORD will have renewed strength; they will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not grow faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

One more!

We can because… if we believe, everything is possible for us!

“Jesus said to him: If you can believe, all things are possible for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)

What do you say?

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May God continue to bless you, and may you keep having an excellent day in Christ Jesus!