Last year, I went through a very difficult season, struggling with lots of fear & self-condemnation.

Almost constantly, I was dealing with thoughts and feelings that left me overwhelmed, afraid, frustrated with myself, and so confused. It was crippling.

Praise be to God because He delivered me! I am free from that stronghold of fear and I have a testimony to tell.

Through that journey, the Lord helped me to see some important spiritual principles that I’d like to share with you. These apply to everybody, not just me. The bottom line: you and I can have victory & peace right now.

The Victory in Right Now 

Oftentimes, we look at the word “victory” through a futuristic lens. One day. 

“One day, I won’t struggle with anxiety anymore.”

“One day, I’ll be more patient.” 

“One day, God will use me for His kingdom.” 

“One day, I’ll finally feel settled and secure in life.”

Why do we have to wait for that special day when we overcome a struggle or feeling? Why can’t we overcome it right now?

I think that many of us have come to accept a mentality of defeat, resignation, weakness, and sin that God has actually empowered us to overcome. 

It is very true that on our own, we fail over and over. None of us are perfect. Jesus Himself said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). However, we are never supposed to be apart from Him. 

In John 14:12, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”

He said that those who believe—I do, and I hope you do as well—will do the same works & even greater ones than He did. 

That is so crazy to try to wrap our minds around! Jesus brought dead people back to life. He overcame the temptation to sin & forgave the people who hurt Him. He healed incredible diseases & preached God’s message fearlessly. He cast demons out of people and lived in the will of God 24/7. He said we can do the same?!

I think that many of us have come to accept a level of defeat that was never meant to be normalized. Anxiety, depression, inability to overcome sin, and more. 

Through the Holy Spirit, we can overcome these things! It is not by might nor by power, but only by the Spirit of the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).

1 John 4:4 says, “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 

Furthermore, in Luke 10:19, Jesus said, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.” 

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

Jesus’s work on earth made eternal life available for all those who choose Him. But it didn’t stop there. The Scriptures outline for us what a life of victory & peace looks like on earth. 

We don’t need to wait for heaven to have the power to overcome sin (Galatians 5:16). Joy isn’t a feeling we have to “try” to have (Psalm 16:11). We don’t need to have seasons of anxiety, depression, and confusion (2 Timothy 1:7, Psalm 42:11, 1 Corinthians 14:33). Don’t give in to those things that are not from God! 

One of my favorite verses is Galatians 5:1. “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

Let’s stop resigning to things that God has given us the ability to overcome. If temptations, fears, doubts, or anything steals your peace, do not give in! 

I had so much fear in my life and I want to encourage you that you don’t have to. Please don’t believe the lie that you cannot be free. Please don’t accept your fears as normal and a part of life. Stand firm on the truth that is found in the word of God! 

No, it isn’t some special formula and it’s not easy—but it is possible, and that is what I wanted to share with you. It’s possible to walk in victory. 

Ask God to help you overcome. Don’t just sit back and give in to defeat. Fight those negative feelings & thoughts with prayer and declare the truth of God’s word. You are more than a conqueror! 

There is victory in Christ! Today, let’s live out the victory that Jesus has already won for us! Are you in? Let’s do this together, my sisters. Let’s fight the good fight of faith. 💖

2 Peter 1:2-3

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”