Previous Victories for Future Battles

Let us make man in Our own Image, according to Our likeness…
Genesis 1:26-27 (NKJV)

There was a time as a single man when I moved out of home and started living by myself for the first time. I discovered that I experienced bouts of depression at certain periods of the day. I didn’t know what triggered it. One day, as I was feeling depressed, someone came to mind; I picked up the phone and called the person. I sensed that they were having a difficult time too, so I prayed with them over the phone. By the time I finished that telephone conversation, they were inspired and uplifted.  When I dropped the phone, I thought, "Wow, I feel better and not depressed." So, I picked up the phone, and called another person and had the same experience.

Over time I discovered that to overcome depression, I had to look beyond myself and reach out to others. I use the tool of my time and my talent to serve other people. Through that, it emerged that I had grace or at least a gift of encouraging people.

About 16 years later, I found myself in a challenging situation in life. I was in business with someone that I was close to and things went really bad.  A season of depression, self-doubt and general despair kicked in. Then it occurred to me that a good way to over challenges is to look beyond myself and reach out to others. I was reminded of the statement that ‘those who are wrapped up in themselves always make small packaging. 

As I began to look beyond myself and reach out to serving others, I noticed that my perspective of the challenges was changing, and I was not helpless anymore. I came out of the challenging season wiser, stronger and better; I came out as a Diamond Believer. Why, because I was able to use my past victory as energy for my future battles.

Can I encourage you that whatever battle you are facing now is a setup to equip you for bigger battles ahead of you.

Let us look at an example in the bible.

This is the story of David and Goliath, the nation of Israel were in battle with the Philistines. The philistine had a warrior and battle champion called Goliath, he was 9 foot, 9 inches tall and heavily protected with war Amory. He made a challenge for the Israelites to send their champion to battle with him and whoever loses becomes the slaves of the winning side. No one in Israel was bold enough to face Goliath, while conversations were taking place, David heard of the threat of Goliath and said he will represent Israel and his offer was taken to king Saul.

1 Samuel 17:31-37 New King James Version

31 Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. 32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

Of course, the Lord was with David, he defeated Goliath and the rest is history. How did this happen? It happened because David used memories of his previous victory to fight this future battle. As a result, David was able to know his identity better, fulfil his destiny and gave us one of the greatest examples winning a battle again all odds.

You have been called to be a Diamond Believer, one that faces the challenges, pressures and adversities of life and come out wiser, stronger and better. So, I encourage you to use the memories of your past victories to win your future battles.

• Are you dealing with office politics? Remember how God delivered you for your friends in school who did not want to play with you.
  
  
• Are you dealing with relational challenges? Think about how you overcame the breakup you experienced as a teenager.
  
  
• Are you dealing with uncertainty about the future? Recall that it is God that has brought you a mighty long way and He will take you all the way.

In closing, let me ask you 3 questions (and document your answer for future reference):

• What battles have you faced in the past and God gave you the victory in it?
  
  
• What lessons did you learn from that battle that will be useful for future battles?
  
  
• What were the gifts, talents and potentials that you displayed in overcoming the battle?

I pray for God’s continued grace for you to overcome any battle you might be facing right now and use this experience for your future battles in Jesus name. Amen.