During hard times, or seasons of extreme difficulty, it can be a challenge to continue to believe in your dream or vision, or in your ability to change your circumstances. Some people might feel like they’re fighting a losing battle when the hard times keep coming and there’s no rescue in sight.
The fact is, sometimes life IS a battle! I remember a season of my life when I faced 18 major life crises one right after another. If it wasn’t for God’s grace, my faith in Jesus Christ, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and the principles God had taught me through His Word, I might still be on the floor where He found me, crying out to Him many nights during that season!
If you find yourself in such a season, it’s vital that you look at this “battle” as something which you CAN win – once you find the necessary ‘reinforcements! Just as in real wars, or any kind of military or police action (or even team sports!), troops or teams must call in ‘reinforcements’ to assist them when the going gets rough. So, you must find your sources of reinforcement during hard times!
A reinforcement is defined as “a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission,” “something that makes more forcible or convincing,” or “a device designed to provide additional strength.”
For our purposes, reinforcement can come in the form of
• seeking guidance and assistance from God…
• paying close attention to the small, still voice of His Holy Spirit inside of you
• encouraging yourself with His Word
• seeking wise counsel from trustworthy sources
• assessing your own strengths and weaknesses honestly to develop a plan of action
• spending time in the company of trusted friends and family members who value you, know your worth, and can support you with positive feedback and encouragement
• finding a caring church home, or joining a support group
• getting appropriate rest
• getting appropriate physical exercise
• following healthy eating habits.
Most people have a tendency to spiral downwards in the face of on-going difficulty and challenge. Therefore, it’s important to recognize the stages of that spiral, and work to develop strategies like those above, that will reinforce the “I CAN” in your spirit, and provide the reinforcement – “additional strength” – needed…emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally.
Here are several stages of the spiral I have witnessed, and some specific steps you can take to reinforce your spirit, get out of the downward spiral, and/or avoid spiraling down into another one.
Feeling Overwhelmed by the Challenge. It’s important to step back and take a long look at the situation at hand. Don’t react to it; respond to it. Most challenges that appear overwhelmingly huge can be broken down into bite-sized pieces. Reinforce your confidence that the issue can be overcome by developing a realistic timetable with intermediate goals and sub-goals – then take action against one aspect of the challenge.
Feeling Inadequate for the Challenge. Most people seem to be more aware of his or her weakness than his or her strength. Don’t dwell on what you can’t do, aren’t qualified to do, have never done, or don’t think you can do. Reinforce your sense of ability by assessing your God-given strengths and abilities. If you need more skills, develop a plan to get them. If you need more information, start researching at your nearest library or via the internet.
Feeling Disappointed in Oneself. As long as you hang your head and continue to criticize your past or current actions, you will not move forward in the battle. Avoid wallowing in your own self-reproach, regret, or self-pity. Reinforce your sense of personal responsibility by acknowledging what your errors have been, accepting responsibility, making amends as best as you can, forgiving yourself or anyone else who needs your forgiveness, and moving forward to address the current situation.
Feeling Discouraged at the Prospect of Failure. Some people look at a challenge and can already see themselves failing at it. They’d rather do nothing than do something and fall short of the goal. However, from my experiences ministering to a number of professional athletes, I’ve been inspired by not only their discipline, but also by their ability to visual their success in advance of their performance. In the same manner, you can reinforce your attitude of success by learning to visualize success. The more you visualize your success rather than your failure, the more likely you will be to succeed.
Feeling Dismayed That You Can Do Absolutely Nothing to Change Yourself or Your Circumstance. In Joshua 1:9, God told Joshua and others not to be “dismayed.” To be dismayed is to become completely drained of courage and filled with alarm, anxiety or apprehension. Dismay can escalate to fear, depression, despair, and a danger sense of isolation, powerlessness, or hopelessness. Reinforce your sense of faith, courage, and empowerment by speaking God’s Words, especially His promises, aloud to yourself. Memorize key verses and recite them often. Stay in fellowship with those who can encourage you, pray for and with you, and believe in you as you confront your battle.
Above all, keep the eyes of your heart and spirit focused on God, not the battle — and remember: He is your greatest reinforcement of all!
